Problem:
Plantain (Lawns)

Problem Info

A weed forming a rosette with long, narrow, hairy leaves 4 to 12 inches long and held off the ground grows in the lawn. A similar weed has broad, egg-shaped leaves that are 2 to 10 inches long and lie flat on the soil. Buckhorn plantain (long, narrow leaves) and broadleaf plantain (egg-shaped leaves) are common weeds that resprout from their roots each year. As thin areas develop in the lawn from insect, disease, or maintenance problems, both of these weeds can move in. As the plants grow larger and lie flat on the soil, they crowd out the surrounding grass.

Analysis

Plantago species Both buckhorn plantain (P. lanceolata), with long, narrow leaves, and broadleaf plantain (P. major), with egg-shaped leaves, are common perennial weeds that resprout from their roots each year. They reproduce from seeds formed on the flower spikes and from new shoots from the roots. As thin areas develop in the lawn from insect, disease, or maintenance problems, either or both of these weeds can move in. As the plants grow larger and lie flat on the soil, they crowd out the surrounding grass.