Plantago media
Sp. Pl. 1: 113. 1753.
Perennials; caudex glabrous or hairy; roots taproots, thick. Stems 0–20 mm. Leaves prostrate, sometimes ascending, 40–200 × 30–70 mm; blade elliptic to ovate, margins entire or toothed, veins conspicuous, surfaces hairy, hairs 0.5 mm. Scapes 80–300 mm, not groove-angled, hirsute. Spikes grayish or whitish, 100–400 mm, densely flowered, shiny; corolla lobes of neighboring flowers overlapping; bracts ovate, 1.8–2 mm, length 0.9–1 times sepals. Flowers: sepals 2 mm, adaxial 2 nearly distinct; corolla radially symmetric, lobes reflexed, 1.5 mm, base obtuse; stamens 4. Seeds 2–4, 2 mm. 2n = 12, 24.
Phenology: Flowering summer.
Habitat: Disturbed areas, neutral and basic soils.
Elevation: 0–200 m.
Distribution
Man., N.B., Ont., Que., Conn., Ill., Maine, Mass., Mich., N.H., N.J., N.Y., Pa., R.I., Wis., Eurasia.
Discussion
Three varieties of Plantago media have been recognized in western Europe. It is not clear how names of those varieties apply to P. media in eastern Europe and North America.
Selected References
None.