Broad-leaved plantain, Plantago major
Weed Control Options 
Life Cycle
PerennialPropagation
Reproducing only by seedStems
Plant stemless, except for the leafless flowering stalks.Leaves
Leaves are all in a basal rosette, oval or elliptic, 5-30cm long. The leaf blade is about as long as its thick green stalk, smooth or somewhat rough-hairy, with 3 to several prominent veins radiating from the leafstalk towards the tip, margins smooth or irregularly toothed.Flowers and Fruit
The flowers are in a compact spikes on erect, leafless stalks from among the basal leaves. Each spike is about the size and shape of a lead pencil but consisting of many, tiny, stalkless, greenish flowers giving it a coarsely granular texture. Each flower is about 2-3mm across, with 4 sepals, 4 petals, 2 stamens and 1 pistil. The egg-shaped seedpod develops beneath the withering flower. This mature seedpod splitting apart with a circular fracture around its middle so that the top part drops off and releases the 5 to 16 dark brown or nearly black angular seeds, each about 1mm long. Flowers and sets seed from spring until late autumn.Habitat
Broad-leaved plantain is very common in all but the most remote unsettled areas of Ontario occurring in cultivated land, pastures, meadows, waste places, roadsides, lawns and gardens.Distinguishing Features
It is distinguished by its rosette of dull green, oval leaves with thick green stalks, and its elongated spikes of tiny green flowers each followed by a small egg-shaped pod with usually more than 5 tiny dark brown or nearly black seeds.Media Items
Figure 1: A. Mature plant B. Seedling C. Cotyledon Top
Figure 2: Young seedling. Top
Figure 3: Basal rosette of Broad-leaved plantain. Top
Figure 4: Leaf with prominent veins radiating from the leafstalk towards the leaf tip. Top
Figure 5: Whole plant with seedhead. Top
Figure 6: Seedpod. Top