Ribwort
Plantago lanceolata
An introduced herb with a taproot. Leaves to 20 cm in a basal rosette. An ovoid to cylindrical dense spike of flowers to 12 cm long is produced on an unbranched stem to 50 cm high.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Flora Type | Herbs |
| Distinctive Features | The flowerstalk is grooved with distinct longitudinal ridges. The long dark green leaves have three to seven conspicuous sunken veins forming ribs. |
| Biology | Annual or perennial. Widespread and abundant weed in a range of disturbed habitats and native ecosystems. Found in gardens, pasture and other disturbed sites. Can resprout after fire. Tolerates grazing. |
| Native Status | Native |
| Flowering Time | Flowers throughout the year but mainly Sep-Apr |
| Taxonomy | |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants) |
| Class | Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants) |
| Order | Lamiales |
| Family | Plantaginaceae |
| Genus | Plantago |
| Species | lanceolata |
This species is highly variable. It was known in Central Australia and North American as Òwhite manÕs footprintsÓ as it followed the paths of early settlers.
| Interesting Facts | |
|---|---|
| Similar Species | Ribgrass P. lanceolata is similar to P. varia but has long dark green leaves with 3-7 conspicuous sunken veins forming ribs, and it has a grooved flowerstem, usually with a few week teeth along the leaf margin. |
| Native Status | Native |