Ratstail Plantain |
Plantago major |
![]() Photo ©
Carl Farmer |
Common on bare ground including cracks in paving, edges of buildings, one of the plants most tolerant of totally artificial environments, survives trampling. Also sometimes in natural grassland. Individual flower diameter c 3 mm. ID: Leaves broad, as in pictures. Other plantains have much narrower leaves (apart from the rare Hoary Plantain which may or may not still occur in the are and can be told by its striking pink flowers) Other features: Normally has a long flower spike. The other common inland plantain, Ribwort, has long narrow leaves but a short flower-spike. Stunted specimens of Ratstail P can also have a short flower-spike, but always have broad leaves. |
![]() Photo ©
Carl Farmer |
![]() Photo ©
Carl Farmer |
|
Small prostrate plant on shingle beach |