Common Name:
COMMON PLANTAIN
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Coefficient of Conservatism:
*
Coefficient of Wetness:
3
Wetness Index:
FACU
Physiognomy:
Ad P-Forb
B. S. Walters
Originally native to Eurasia, but like P. lanceolata now a thoroughly naturalized weed throughout much of the world. Collected in Washtenaw Co. in 1861, in Houghton Co. in 1878, in Wayne Co. in 1884, and in Keweenaw Co. in 1888, so probably well distributed throughout the state at an early date. Disturbed ground, including roadsides and railroads, parking lots, gravel pits and filled land, dumps; moist shores, forests, river banks, floodplains; spreading to mixed forests (including pine, aspen, birch), especially along trails and old roads.
A variable species in habit, size, and foliage. The leaves are usually pubescent on one or both surfaces (more so than in P. rugelii). The sepals are often broadly rounded and the fruit also shorter than in P. rugelii, as well as more rotund. The oddest variant is f. rosea (Decne.) Prahl, with 2–3 leaves on the scape just below the spike; it has been collected in Jackson, Kent, Keweenaw, Washtenaw, and Wayne Cos.