68 



Fig. 25. 



Plantain, Black Plantain, Rib-grass, or Rib-wort. 



Plant ago lanceolata, (L.) 



This plant was once very generally believed to be a favorite food 

 of cattle, yet the opinion of most agriculturists is against it. It is 

 considered a bad weed, especially when it appears in lawns. Numer- 

 ous inquirers ask what it is, and how to get rid of it. It is a peren- 

 nial or biennial, with a short thick root-stock, of erect growth, or 

 more generally, lying on the ground as a rosette of leaves. At the 

 base of the leaves there are tufts of brown hair; and the leaves them- 

 selves are long, narrow and tapering, with prominent veins, or ribs 

 running lengthwise; hence some of the popular names. The flower- 

 stock is slender and channelled, is without leaves and terminates in a 

 dense spike. The stamens project from the inconspicuous flowers, 

 giving a whitish appearance to the whole head. The seeds are en- 

 closed in small pods, each containing two seeds. The seeds are about 

 1-12 of an inch long, brown and shiny, with a grove on one side, in 

 the centre of which there is a black spot. The opposite side is rounded, 

 as are also the ends (Fig. 25, a). An- average plant produces 1,200 

 seeds. 



Time of flowering, June-September. 



Time of seeding, July-September. 



Closely allied to this plant is the Broad Leafed Plantain (Plant- 

 ago major), which has broad oval leaves and very long tapering 

 spikes. 



The seeds of both of these weeds are very common in clover and 

 grass seed ; and persons buying these seeds or lawn mixtures, should 

 examine closely and guard carefully against plantain seed. 



Eradication. If the plants are not numerous, cut below the crown 

 with a spud. If they are, use treatment outlined for Mustard (Fig. 15). 



