Try for Free
tab list
PictureThis
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
PictureThis
Search
Search Plants
Try for Free
Global
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
This page looks better in the app
picturethis icon
Instantly identify plants with a snap
Snap a photo for instant plant ID, gaining quick insights on disease prevention, treatment, toxicity, care, uses, and symbolism, etc.
Download the App for Free
Continue Reading
Common plantain

How to identify Common plantain (Plantago major)

Common plantain, also known as Broadleaf plantain, Snakeroot

Common plantain is an herbaceous perennial with a rosette of broad, green leaves that lie close to the ground. It typically grows in human-disturbed areas such as fields and roadsides. The leaves are ovate, with parallel venation and can grow up to 6 inches (15 cm) long. The small, greenish flowers emerge on a spike up to 10 inches (25 cm) tall. Common plantain can tolerate heavy foot traffic and compacted soil. Its hardy seed production ensures wide dispersal, and it is a common sight in lawns.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Evergreen, Semi-evergreen

Quickly Identify Common plantain

1

Rosette of broad, ovate leaves close to the ground.

2

Small, greenish flowers on a tall spike.

3

Dry egg-shaped capsule splitting to reveal glossy seeds.

4

Leaves with parallel stringy veins and ribbed texture.

5

Under 12-inch erect unbranched stem with cluster of flowers.

Common plantainCommon plantainCommon plantainCommon plantainCommon plantain

Detailed Traits of Common plantain

Leaf Features

The leaves of common plantain are arranged in a rosette, lying close to the ground. They are broadly lance to egg-shaped with an acute apex, measuring 2 to 8 inches (5 to 20 cm) long and 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) wide. The upper surface is medium green and glabrous to sparsely canescent, while the lower surface is light green and finely pubescent along the veins. Each leaf has five to seven prominent, stringy veins that start at the base and run parallel to each other, creating a ribbed texture.

Leaf Shape

Elliptic ,
Circular

Common plantain Leaf Shape image
Leaf Base

Circular

Leaf Apex

Obtuse

Leaf Texture

Papyraceous ,
Herbaceous

Leaf Margin

Entire

Learn About the Leaf Glossary
Group
Flower Features

The flowers of common plantain are small and greenish-brown with prominent white to purple stamens. Arranged in dense cylindrical spikes that can be 6-18 inches (15-45 cm) long, these inconspicuous flowers bloom from April to September. The inflorescences are narrow, spike-like, emerging from the center of the plant, and each spike is tightly packed with tiny greenish-white flowers that later develop into seeds along the flower stem.

Common plantain Flower image
Learn About the Flower Glossary
Group
Stem Features

The stem of common plantain is an erect structure standing under 12 inches (30 cm) tall. It is leafless and unbranched, characterized by its smooth texture and green coloration. The stem terminates in a cluster of small, inconspicuous flowers. This linear, upright form is a key identifying feature, distinguishing it from more branched or leafy stems of similar plants.

Learn About the Stem Glossary
Group
Fruit Features

The fruit of common plantain is a dry, egg-shaped capsule measuring 3-5 mm (0.12-0.2 inches) long. When ripe, the capsule splits horizontally at its center, revealing 6-20 glossy, ridged seeds. These seeds exhibit a rich brown hue and irregular shapes, and are favored as a food source by local wildlife.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary
Group
Icon code

Scan QR code to download

More Plants You May Like and How to Identify Them
Img topic
Cape jasmine

Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.

Img topic
Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Img topic
Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Img topic
Pepper

The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Img topic
Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Img topic
Bigleaf hydrangea

The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.

Identify Common plantain easily and quickly
We're also capable of identifying over 12,000 types of plants, flowers, succulents, and trees in your surroundings.
Identify a Plant Online

Key Facts About Common plantain

Attributes of Common plantain
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
10 cm to 50 cm
Flower Color
Green
White
Fruit Color
Brown
Copper
Stem Color
Green
Leaf type
Evergreen, Semi-evergreen
The Toxicity of Common plantain
Identify plants with a snap
Instantly identify plants with AI: Snap a photo, and get accurate results within seconds.
Download the App for Free

Scientific Classification of Common plantain

Family
Plantain
Icon allow
Species
Common plantain (Plantago major)
Learn More About the Common plantain

Distribution Map of Common plantain

Common plantain is hugely widespread, native across Eurasia, North Africa, and southern Africa and introduced almost everywhere else except Australia and the polar regions. It grows in disturbed and compacted soils along roadsides and in fields and lawns. It is listed as a troublesome weed in some eastern US states.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
close
close
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
product icon
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
product icon
Nearly 5 years of research
product icon
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
ad
ad
Botanist in your pocket
qrcode
PictureThis Ios DownloadPictureThis Android Download
Scan the QR code with your phone camera to download the app