urbpan | Entries tagged with plantain

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Broadleaf plantain. Plantago major

The more I tell the story, the more apocryphal it seems, but it's a good story: Supposedly the Native Americans called the plantains "white man's footprint" because wherever Europeans went, these weeds seemed to pop up. Their seeds were probably mixed in with cattle feed, and their roots tolerate the compact soil of footpaths. See also narrowleaf plantain.

Dandelions can adapt and renew
Seems like they grow best right under my shoe
King Weed by TMBG

Urban species #125: Narrowleaf plantain Plantago lanceolata

I'm probably guilty of having overused the word "common" in this series. However, if the word ever had an appropriate application, it was in reference to this weed. The plantains (not related to the tropical banana-like food plant) are some of the most common weeds of cities, vacant lots, lawns, and sidewalk cracks. Tolerant of poor soil, compacted soil, salty soil, and so on, plantain innocuously proliferates wherever people tread. According to some sources, this habit was noticed by Native Americans, who named plantain "white man's footprint." More than likely plantain was introduced to North America accidentally, its seeds sneaking in amongst the grain of livestock feed.

( the inconspicuous flower )