Description

Buckhorn plantain (Plantago lanceolata) is a very common fibrous-rooted weed found in poorly managed turfgrasses. The leaves are basal, long, narrow, and pointed with several prominent parallel veins. Flowers are arranged in a dense terminal spike on a long, hairy, leafless stem. As it blooms, the stamens are exerted from the spike.

Cultural Control

Perennial broadleaf turf weeds are capable of living more than two years. They thrive in weak, thin turf; golf fairways and roughs; home lawns; playfields; and industrial grounds. Proper turf maintenance is the key to control of this weed.

Species Data

• GROWTH SEASON / LIFE CYCLE
  • summer annual or biennial or perennial weed
• GROWTH HABIT
  • rosette
    Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5
• LEAFLET NUMBER
  • one
• LEAF MARGIN
  • may be slightly toothed, often curled
• LEAF HAIRS
  • only on the margins of the first leaves, later leaves are sparsely hairy
• LEAF / LEAFLET SHAPE
  • linear / oblong; narrow
• LEAF WIDTH
  • ¹⁄₂ - 1 inch
    ​Figure 6, Figure 7
• LEAF VENATION
  • parallel; prominent
• LEAF ARRANGEMENT
  • whorled or basal rosette
• ROOT TYPE
  • many fibrous roots arise from the taproot
    Figure 8
• FLOWER COLOR
  • white; inconspicuous