Common Name: plantain, blackseed
Species: Plantago rugelii Dcne.
Bayer Code: PLARU

Blackseed plantain is a fibrous-rooted perennial with smooth lower leaves that are oval to elliptical in shape and purplish at the base of the leaf stalk. Leaf blades are often 1 to 3 inches wide and 3 to 6 inches long. Leaf margins may be wavy with five prominent veins. The rosette of leaves may lie close to the ground, crowding out desirable grasses. Flowers are arranged along more than half of the stem. Broadleaf plantain is very similar to blackseed plantain. Blackseed plantain leaves are less waxy than those of broadleaf plantain and mostly lacking in hairs. The petiole of blackseed plantain is frequently red-tinged at the base, while that of broadleaf plantain is usually not. 		blackseed plantain
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blackseed plantain
blackseed plantain
broadleaf (top) and blackseed (lower) plantain leaves and petioles
broadleaf (top) and blackseed (lower) plantain leaves and petioles
blackseed plantain leaf, purple petiole
blackseed plantain leaf, purple petiole
blackseed plantain leafhair
blackseed plantain leafhair
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CharacteristicTypeDescription
Growth Season perennial weed 
Growth Habit rosette 
Leaflet Number one 
Leaf Margin serrated/toothed OR wavy/crinkledwavy toothed
Leaf Hairs upper/lower surfacemostly lacking on upper surface, dense on lower surface
Leaf/Leaflet Shape oval/egg-shaped/ellipticalwell-defined petiole, reddish at base
Leaf Width 1 - 2 inches OR greater than 2 inches 
Leaf Venation parallelsomewhat parallel
Leaf Arrangement whorled or basal rosettedark markings on the leaf surface closest to the stem
Root Type fibrous OR taprootmany fibrous roots arise from the taproot
Flower Color whiteinconspicuous