Heartleaf Plantain (Plantago cordata)
- Family: Plantain (Plantaginaceae)
- Flowering: April-June.
- Field Marks: This native plantain is easily
recognized by the heart-shaped leaves with distinct veins that
arise from the midvein and by its hollow flowering stalk.
- Habitat: Rocky streams, sloughs, wet woods.
- Habit: Aquatic perennial herbs with fleshy roots.
- Stems: Up to 15 inches tall, smooth, hollow, bearing
only flowers.
- Leaves: All basal, ovate to oval, pointed at the tip,
heart-shaped at the base, with or without a few teeth, smooth,
with distinct lateral veins, up to 10 inches long, usually with a
purple leaf stalk.
- Flowers: Several in a slender spike, each flower
subtended by a bract.
- Sepals: 4, united at base, rounded or pointed at tip,
1/10-1/8 inch long.
- Petals: 4, united below, papery, up to 1/6 inch long.
- Stamens: 4, exserted beyond the petals.
- Pistils: Ovary superior; stigmas 2-parted.
- Fruits: Capsules ovoid, smooth, about 1/6 inch long,
with 4 seeds.
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