Narrowleaf Plantain
Plantago lanceolata
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Azores, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canary Is., China, Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, East Aegean Is., Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Kriti, Krym, Kuwait, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Madeira, Mauritania, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Sicilia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Taiwan, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Yemen
Richard Bartz
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Plantaginaceae
- Genus:
- Plantago
- Species:
- Plantago lanceolata
- USDA Symbol:
- PLLA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Biennial | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Grammia arge, kidney-spotted minor (Lacinipolia renigera), Lacinipolia olivacea, omnivorous leaftier (Cnephasia longana), Pseudorthodes irrorata, Spilosoma pteridis, Variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia), Yellow-striped armyworm (Spodoptera ornithogalli), Anicia checkerspot (Euphydryas anicia), Baltimore checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton), Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), ⚠️Edith's checkerspot (Euphydryas editha), Tropical Buckeye (Junonia evarete), Variable checkerspot (Euphydryas chalcedona)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Black-tailed bumble bee (Bombus melanopygus), Fuzzy-horned bumble bee (Bombus mixtus), Half-black bumble bee (Bombus vagans), Obscure bumble bee (Bombus caliginosus), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii) Butterflies:Gray Buckeye (Junonia grisea)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from basal rosette after fire or mowing; common in disturbed and fire-maintained grasslands.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- poor, sandy, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 7.5 (acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- commonly found in grasslands and open areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily at soil surface with light; optimal germination temperature 15-20°C.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Requires light / surface sow (fine seed).