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The Western Australian Herbarium’s collections management system and census were set to read-only mode on 1 October 2025. Taxonomic updates published since this time are not being reflected in Florabase, herbarium collections, or Western Australia’s taxonomic names census (Nomos). Conservation listings displayed on Florabase may also be out of date. Please refer to DBCA’s Threatened species and communities webpage for the most recent Threatened and Priority Flora List, noting that recent taxonomic updates are similarly not included. Our database migration is moving to a staging phase. We thank you for your patience as we ensure the integrity of our biodiversity data, develop new workflows, and train staff to use the new systems. Please reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.

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Plantago major L.
Greater Plantain

Reference
Sp.Pl. [Linnaeus] 1:112-113 (1753)
Conservation Code
Not threatened
Naturalised Status
Alien to Western Australia
Name Status
Current

Rosetted perennial, herb, 0.1-0.8 m high. Fl. green, Oct to Dec or Jan to Feb. Usually on sandy soils. Winter-wet depressions.

Amanda Spooner, Descriptive Catalogue, 25 March 1997

Distribution

IBRA Regions
Avon Wheatbelt, Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain, Warren.
IBRA Subregions
Katanning, Northern Jarrah Forest, Perth, Southern Jarrah Forest, Warren.
IMCRA Regions
Leeuwin-Naturaliste.
Local Government Areas (LGAs)
Albany, Augusta Margaret River, Bassendean, Canning, Chittering, Cockburn, Denmark, Gingin, Manjimup, Nannup, Perth, Victoria Park, Wanneroo, Wickepin.

Management Notes (for the Swan NRM Region)

Alternative Names. Broadleaf Plantain, Common Plantain, Rat-tail Plantain.

General Biology. Growth form. Herb. Life form. Perennial. Reproduction. Seed. Dispersal. Soil, water. Seedbank persistence. Up to 40 years.

Notes. Seed requires complete light for germination, and because of this establishment is more inhibited than P. lanceolata amongst other vegetation. Also has lower competitive ability caused by later germination, smaller seedling size and shorter leaves. Several variants are grown as ornamentals.

Additional information. Origin. Eurasia. History of use/introduction. Ornamental. Similar exotic species. Plantago lanceolata.

Suggested method of management and control. Hand remove isolated/small infestations. Spray in early stages of growth with 1% glyphosate. Read the manufacturers' labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. For further information consult the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to determine the status of permits for your situation or state.

Management Calendar

Calendar Type Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Comments
Germination         U U              
Active Growth O O O Y Y Y O O Y Y Y O  
Flowering Y Y               Y Y Y  
Fruiting Y Y Y                 Y  
Manual Removal Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y  
Herbicide Treatment           Y Y Y Y Y      

Legend: Y = Yes, regularly, O = Occasionally, U = Uncertain, referred by others but not confirmed.

 

References

  • Blood, K. (2001) Environmental weeds: a field guide for SE Australia. C.H. Jerram and Associates, Melbourne.
  • Brown, K. & Brooks, K. (2002) Bushland Weeds: A Practical Guide to their Management. Environmental Weeds Action Network, Greenwood.
  • Hawthorn, W. R. (1974) The biology of Canadian Weeds. 4. Plantago major and P. rugelii. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 54: 383-396.
  • Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. & Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. 2nd Edition. The Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park.
  • Lotz, L.A.P. (1990) The relation between age and size at first flowering of Plantago major in various habitats. Journal of Ecology, 78 (3): 757-771.
  • Sagar, G.R. & Harper, J.L. (1961) Controlled interference with natural populations of Plantago lanceolata, P. major and P. media. Weed Research, 1 (3): 163–176.
  • USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program (2009) Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. URL: https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomysimple.aspx - Accessed October 2009.
  • van de Toorn, J. & Pons, T.L. (1988) Establishment of Plantago lanceolata L. and Plantago major L. among grass. Oecologia, 76: 341-347.
  • Wilken, D. & Hannah, L. (1998) Plantago lanceolata L. (Plantaginacae) English Plantain and Plantago major L. Common Plantain..