Weed Broadleaf plantain
Scientific Name Plantago major
Family Plantain family (Plantaginaceae)
Life Cycle Cool season perennial
Reproduction Method Reproduce by seeds
Appearance Form a spreading or upright basal rosette of broadly oval leaves with fibrous roots.
Leaves The leaves are broad-oval, pubescent or smooth, and dark green. The petioles are often with purplish. The leaves are up to 10 inches long, the margins entire or wavy, and the veins are prominent and parallel.
Flowers Plantain flowers are numerous, inconspicuous, and small. They are borne along the ends of a flowering stalk and appear like fingers or rat-tails. They grow 8 to 20 inches tall during May to September.
Occurrence Broadleaf plantains occur in damp, infertile or fertile lawns throughout growing season. They will tolerate some shade.
Non Chemical Control To control these weeds without chemicals, maintain turf density and health through proper culture. These weeds can be hand-pulled or mechanically removed.
Chemical Control
Application Period Apply postemergence herbicides in mid spring to early summer and/or mid to late autumn when weeds are growing actively. Preemergence herbicides can be applied before seed germination.
Active Ingredient in Labeled Products

Preemergent

Postemergent

  • isoxaben
  • 2,4-D
  • 2,4-DP
  • chlorsulfuron*
  • clopyralid
  • dicamba
  • MCPA
  • MCPP
  • triclopyr
*not on tall fescue or ryegrass turf
Notes

(Click on Image to Enlarge and Sharpen Photograph)

Broadleaf plantain immature plant

Broadleaf plantain vegetative growth

Broadleaf plantain mature plant

Broadleaf plantain in turf

Broadleaf plantain rosette

Seedhead up close

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