Flower ID: IMG_7484.JPG-07-08-2021 Flower name (scientific): Plantago major Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) plan-TA-go MAY-jor Flower name (common): Common Plantain Family name (common): Plantain Family name (scientific): Plantaginaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: Latin for plantain, low-growing plants with cylindrical spikes of tiny flowers. Latin planta means foot or foot-like, or sole-like, referring to the appearance of the leaves lying flat on the ground. Specific epithet: From Latin for larger, greater, or bigger, referring to the leaves. Common name origin: Plantain comes from old French and old English with a six hundred year history. Used to denote different species in the genus Plantago. Flower description: Size: 0.04 to 0.1 inches (1 to 3 mm) Petal count: 4 Color: white or green Other: flower arrangement, Spike Plant description: Size: 4 to 16 inches (10 to 41 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is basal, type is simple Size: Leaves typically up to about 15 cm long and up to about 8 to 12 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, ovate to cordate-ovate (FNA), oval (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Introduced Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Uncommon Bloom time (typical): June to August Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Disturbed areas, waste areas, roadsides, trails, fields, woods, sun or semi-shade. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Plantago rugelii (Rugel's Plantain) is similar to Plantago major. A principal distinguihing feature: P. rugelii has the basal portion of the leaf petioles purplish-red in color, whereas the basal portion of the leaf petioles for P. major are green. The seed capsules of Plantago major have an ovoid shape, whereas the seed capsules of Plantago rugelii have an oblongoid shape, oblong in lateral view. Plantago cordata (Heartleaf Plantain), an endangered species in Wisconsin, also has a resemblance and also has the basal portion of the leaf petioles purplish-red in color, but has heart-shaped leaves, and has a relatively restricted geographic distribution in the state. Ethnobotany: The Menominee made no distinction between Plantago rugelii and Plantago major, both plants being used in the same manner. The top side of a fresh heated leaf is applied to the skin to reduce swellings (Smith, pp. 46-47, 1923). The Meskwaki used the leaves of Plantago major to prepare a tea that was used for bowel problems, urinary issues, and as a remedy for burns (Smith, pp. 234-235, 1928). The Ojibwe employed the leaves to prepare a poultice that was employed to treat bruises, sprains, sores, burns, scalds, bee stings, and snake bites. They also carried the root in the belief that it would ward off snakes (Smith, pp. 380-381, 431, 1932). The Potawatomi prepare a slippery fluid from the boiled root, which is given to a patient who is choking on a bone in the throat. They also use the heated leaf to treat swellings and inflammations (Smith, pp. 69-70, 1933). Latitude: 44.794570 Longitude: -91.495657 Altitude: 251.00 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY) In Canada: (AB, BC, LB, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym:Plantago major subsp. major (The other infraspecifics are Plantago major subsp. intermedia (Gilibert) Lange, Plantago major subsp. winteri (Wirtgen) Wolfgang Ludwig. Neither of these two subspecies are recorded from North America.)