Broadleaf Plantain (Note: The prominent broad leaves shown in the center are a weed, specifically Plantago major, nestled among various turfgrass and seed stalks)
Plantago major · Herbaceous perennial broadleaf weed found commonly in turf
Grass Family
Plantaginaceae
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass or broadleaf weed in lawns
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 10
About This Grass
Low-growing herbaceous plant with a basal rosette of broad, oval to elliptic leaves featuring prominent parallel veins and long stalks, often found invading thin turfgrass.
Blade Characteristics
Broad, oval leaves with prominent parallel ribs/veins and entire or wavy margins, tapering into a petiole.
Root System
Tough, fibrous taproot system allowing it to survive in compacted soils.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Eurasia, now cosmopolitan and naturalized worldwide
Growth Habit
Rosette-forming perennial with a short taproot
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun to partial shade, adaptable to frequent moisture and highly tolerant of compacted, poor soils.
Mowing & Maintenance
Survives low mowing by hugging the ground below standard mower blade heights, requiring hand-pulling, selective broadleaf herbicides, or core aeration to manage.
Special Characteristics
High tolerance for soil compaction, heavy foot traffic, and poor fertility; difficult to eradicate without addressing underlying soil compaction.
Ecological Information
Introduced species globally, seeds are a food source for birds, leaves sometimes used medicinally, often indicates compacted soil conditions in turf management.