Ribwort plantain

Short Description

Ribwort plantain can reach a growth height of between five to 50 cm.

The elongated (lance-shaped) leaves grow on the ground in a large flat leaf rosette. They have smooth margins and a stalk.

The leafless stem is surrounded at the bottom by basal leaves and terminates in a narrow flower head (1-3 cm).

The flowers are quite small and inconspicuous. They stand in long narrow to rounded spikes that can be upright or prostrate.

The seeds are greyish, elongated smooth capsules. The seed capsules split off (dehisce) the upper part like a cone and release the seeds.

In the city

The ribwort plantain is a robust plant that can survive repeated trampling. It grows in gaps in the turf caused by trampling or vehicles. It cannot survive in well-maintained grasslands. They prefer sunny to semi-shaded and moderately dry sites.

In humid conditions, the small seeds become sticky and thus adhere easier to the feet of humans and animals.