Buckhorn plantain (Plantago lanceolata) is a very common fibrous-rooted weed found in poorly managed turfgrasses. The leaves are basal, long, narrow, and pointed with several prominent parallel veins. Flowers are arranged in a dense terminal spike on a long, hairy, leafless stem. As it blooms, the stamens are exerted from the spike.

Perennial broadleaf turf weeds are capable of living more than two years. They thrive in weak, thin turf; golf fairways and roughs; home lawns; playfields; and industrial grounds. Proper turf maintenance is the key to control of this weed.

• GROWTH SEASON / LIFE CYCLE
  • summer annual or biennial or perennial weed
• GROWTH HABIT
  • rosette
    Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5
• LEAFLET NUMBER
  • one
• LEAF MARGIN
  • may be slightly toothed, often curled
• LEAF HAIRS
  • only on the margins of the first leaves, later leaves are sparsely hairy
• LEAF / LEAFLET SHAPE
  • linear / oblong; narrow
• LEAF WIDTH
  • ¹⁄₂ - 1 inch
    ​Figure 6, Figure 7
• LEAF VENATION
  • parallel; prominent
• LEAF ARRANGEMENT
  • whorled or basal rosette
• ROOT TYPE
  • many fibrous roots arise from the taproot
    Figure 8
• FLOWER COLOR
  • white; inconspicuous

Figure 1. Buckhorn plantain growth habit.

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Figure 1. Buckhorn plantain growth habit.

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Figure 2. Buckhorn plantain growth habit.

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Figure 2. Buckhorn plantain growth habit.

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Figure 3. Buckhorn plantain growth habit.

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Figure 3. Buckhorn plantain growth habit.

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Figure 4. Buckhorn plantain growth habit.

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Figure 4. Buckhorn plantain growth habit.

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Figure 5. Buckhorn plantain growth habit.

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Figure 5. Buckhorn plantain growth habit.

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Figure 6. Buckhorn plantain leaf width.

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Figure 6. Buckhorn plantain leaf width.

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Figure 7. Buckhorn plantain leaf width.

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Figure 7. Buckhorn plantain leaf width.

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Figure 8. Buckhorn plantain root type.

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Figure 8. Buckhorn plantain root type.

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