Flower ID: IMG_2354.JPG-07-17-2019 Flower name (scientific): Plantago rugelii Decaisne PY: 1852. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) plan-TA-go ru-GEL-ee Flower name (common): Rugel's 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. Foot, or sole-like, referring to the appearance of the leaves lying flat on the ground. Specific epithet: Honors Ferdinand Ignatius Xavier Rugel (1806-1879) a German-born plant collector, botanist, and pharmacist. Common name origin: Named for the collector. Flower description: Size: 0.05 to 0.1 inches (1.3 to 2.5 mm) Petal count: 4 Color: white Other: flower arrangement, Spike Plant description: Size: 3 to 12 inches (8 to 30 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is basal, type is simple Size: Basal leaves up to 15 to 20 cm long and 12 to 14 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, ovate to cordate-ovate (FNA) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): very Common Bloom time (typical): June to August Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Fields, woods, prairies, meadows, disturbed areas, roadsides, waste ground, sun or part shade, moist. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Plantago major (Common Plantain) is similar to Plantago rugelii. The 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). Latitude: 44.796183 Longitude: -91.484598 Altitude: 263.10 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV) In Canada: (NB, NS, ON, PE, QC) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na