Appearance
''Plantago major'' is an herbaceous perennial plant with a rosette of leaves 15–30 cm in diameter. Each leaf is oval-shaped, 5–20 cm long and 4–9 cm broad, rarely up to 30 cm long and 17 cm broad, with an acute apex, a smooth margin, and a distinct petiole almost as long as the leaf itself.There are five to nine conspicuous veins over the length of the leaf. The flowers are small, greenish-brown with purple stamens, produced in a dense spike 5–15 cm long on top of a stem 13–15 cm tall and rarely to 70 cm tall.
Naming
There are three subspecies:⤷ ''Plantago major'' subsp. ''major''.
⤷ ''Plantago major'' subsp. ''intermedia'' Arcang.
⤷ ''Plantago major'' subsp. ''winteri'' W.Ludw.
Habitat
''Plantago major'' grows in lawns and fields, along roadsides, and in other areas that have been disturbed by humans. It does particularly well in compacted or disturbed soils.Uses
The mature plant contains pliable and tough fibres that can be used in survival situations to make small cords, fishing line, sutures, or braiding.Some cultivars are planted as ornamentals in gardens, including 'Rubrifolia' with purple leaves, and 'Variegata' with variegated leaves.
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