358 OHIO EXPERIMENT STATION: BULLETIN 175. 



Seeds shown in Fig-. 56, almost oval, 1-12 inch long-, black, with one flat, 

 grooved, and one rounded, smooth side. Apparently brought in packing from 

 Europe. 



296 Narrow Plantain, Buck=plantain, Buckhorn, Ribgrass (P) *Plantago 

 lance o lata L. Narrow plantain, Fig. 57, ranks among 

 the worst weeds, particularly upon light, sandy soils. 

 It is apparently not so exclusive as sorrel in choosing to 

 grow only upon sandy lands, but its most aggressive and 

 injurious characters will show over the same regions as 

 those outlined under sorrel and broom-sedge. The leaves 

 of this weed are narrow and tapering, with prominent 

 veins (ribs) running lengthwise. The flowering stems 

 are commonly about a foot high, with leafless spikes 

 (heads) of flowers succeeded by an abundance of seed c 

 I have seen some fields hopelessly infested with it. For 

 such only the greatest care and persistence can bring- 

 relief. For most districts it comes largely in hay and 

 in grass and clover seeds. In all these districts it will 

 be possible by vigorous measures to control the pest. 



Fig. 57 Narrow Plantain. Seeds brown, oval in outline, rounded at the ends 



spaug . an ^ ^^ one s -^ e ^ hoiio w e( j and grooved on the other, 

 about 1-10 inch long, smooth and somewhat shining. A very irequent impurity in 

 clover and alfalfa seeds where it occurs often with bracted-plantain. It is dis- 

 tinguished from the latter by the absence of the transverse groove across the 

 back and the more shining coat. The first measure in all cases is to avoid dis- 

 tributing the seeds of narrow plantain. But once having it, methods of destruc- 

 tion must be vigorous and persistently followed. If a few stools only are found 

 these may be removed by hand digging. For this purpose a narrow hoe or spud 

 is a good tool. But where a field has a considerable quantity scattered about, 

 it would be best to plow promptly and cultivate until the plants are destroyed. 

 In every case no plant should be permitted to form seeds. Newly seeded clover 

 fields should be inspected to ferret out any of this or of other weeds. In lawns 

 where dense tufts of it occur mere mowing will not suffice and it will g-enerally 

 prove cheaper to spade up and resod. The thickened rootstocks of this weed 

 must be thoroughly removed in all efforts in digging and cultivation. 



297 Plantain, Broad Plantain (P) *Plantago major L. and 298 Rugel's 

 Broad Plantain (P) Plantago Rugelii Decaisne. The broad plantains are an- 

 noying weeds, more particularly in manured land. They have thick rootstocks 

 like the last, broad, oval, ribbed, green leaves and the latter one named, very- 

 long tapering- spikes of flowers and seeds. In enriched fields seeded to clover 

 and the like, the broad plantains are frequently serious pests; they are ever pre- 

 sent about yards and waste places. The recognition of the plants is not a 

 difficult matter, but the recognition of the seed is all essential since it is so fre- 

 quently an impurity in clover seed, 



Seeds dark brown to black, very irregular in shape, with rounded back 

 and variously flattened; sloped or angled on the other side, 1-12 inch long or less, 

 by about one-half as wide. Very common in clover seed. It is suggested that 

 interested persons collect this seed to keep for comparison with the apparent 

 dark fragments in clover seed. The seeds may be otherwise passed by for some 

 particle of dirt in the seed. The broad plantains may be removed by hand 

 from yards and lawns. In clover fields continuous cultivation is required. This 

 will be the same as that recommended for mustards in clover. 



