136 FARM WEEDS OF CANADA 



COMMON PLANTAIN (Plantago major L.) 



Other English names: Broad-leaf Plantain, Greater Plantain, 

 Dooryard Plantain, Birdseed Plantain. 



Introduced and native. Perennial. Rootstock short and 

 thick, bearing many thick-spreading roots and a large tuft of 

 dark green, oval, long-stalked, coarsely-toothed, spreading or up- 

 ward curving leaves, strongly nerved underneath, and several 

 dense spikes (3 to 12 inches long) of inconspicuous flowers with 

 purple stamens. Seed capsules oval, dividing about the middle. 



The seed (Plate 75, fig. 68) is about 1/20 of an inch long, 

 greenish-brown, variable in size and shape according to the 

 number in the capsule (which varies from 8 to 16), rounded on 

 the outer face, angular on the inner scar-bearing face; scar pale 

 and conspicuous. The surface of the seed is finely netted with 

 dark brown broken waved lines, which radiate from the scar. 



Time of flowering: May, throughout the summer; seed ripe 

 by July. 



Propagation : By seeds. 



Occurrence: Throughout the Dominion, generally in rich, 

 moist soil. In various forms, some of which may be distinct 

 species, as indicated by the difference in habit of growth and 

 the degree of hairyness. 



Injury: A persistent, succulent weed, usually abundant in 

 fields and gardens in low, rich soils and well able to compete 

 with most cultivated crops or natural grasses. Especially 

 objectionable in lawns. Its seeds are common in grass and 

 clover seeds. 



Remedy: Hoed crops every four years will keep this weed 

 in check. Working with a broad-shared cultivator, followed 

 by a harrow, to drag the plants with their fibrous roots to the 

 surface, is recommended for spring cultivation. Plantain in 



