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Virginia Plantain, Dwarf Plantain, Southern Plantain, Hoary Plantain, Paleseed Indianwheat - Plantago virginica


Family: Plantaginaceae - Plantain family Genus Common Name: Plantain Native Status: NativeDicot Annual Biennial Herb
Plantago virginica - Virginia Plantain, Dwarf Plantain, Southern Plantain, Hoary Plantain, Paleseed Indianwheat. Plantago virginica is a native plantain found in 38 of the 50 states, although it is naturalized rather than native in parts of its range, probably the western part, and is also non-native in its Canadian distribution. While it can be weedy in sandy or gravelly soils (this example was photographed on the verge of a driveway), it usually is not as much of a week problem as some of the other similar plantains, such as P. major and P. lanceolata, neither of which are hairy, and also have narrower leaves. P. aristata, P. patagonica, and P. pusilla are hairy, but have narrower leaves.

Virginia Plantain is listed of "special concern" in Connecticut.

Found in:
AL, AR, AZ, CA, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV

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Plantago virginica

Distribution of Plantago virginica in the United States and Canada:
Map unavailable.
Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
Map color key

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Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2012-April-29Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson
Nikon D7000
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
The inflorescence of Virginia Plantain is a spike up to about 6 inches long atop a hairy peduncle that may also be around 6 inches long. This photo shows the pistillate flowers with their upcurved corolla lobes, and is missing the highly staminate flowers with the extremely exserted stamens that I think of as the characteristic flower of most Plantago species.
Plantago virginica
Site: Cedar Glade, Pigeon Mountain East, Walker County, GA Date: 2013-May-07Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
Plantago virginica among Widow's Cross (Sedum pulchellum) in a Cedar Glade.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Plantago virginica
Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2012-April-29Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
Virginia Plantain grows up to about a foot tall. It has basal leaves and may have multiple inflorescences on the same plant.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Plantago virginica
Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2012-April-29Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
The obovate to oblanceolate, petioled leaves are as hairy as the peduncle.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Plantago virginica
References used for identification and information:
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Plantago virginica initially published on USWildflowers.com 2013-04-17; Updated 2015-06-24

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All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2024
Photographs Copyright owned by the named photographer



Code Update 20230302