IndianPlantain

Indian Plantain

Indentification: 1. This native perennial plant is about 3-4' tall and unbranched, except near the inflorescence. 2. The central stem is stout and hairless often with red and green stripes running its length. 3. The alternate leaves are up to 8" long and 4" across, becoming smaller and fewer as they ascend the central stem. Their texture is thick and rubbery. These leaves are hairless and broadly ovate. Their margins are smooth or have widely spaced blunt teeth; they are often whitish or reddish in appearance.

Cultivation: 1. The preference is full or partial sun and moist conditions. 2. Can withstand standing water, but cannot survive severe drought. 3. Soil should be rich in organic material, and either a high or low pH is tolerated.

Range and Habitat: 1. This plant occurs in such habitats as moist to mesic black soil prairies, dolomite prairies, savannas, thickets, moist meadows near rivers, limestone glades, marshes, fens, remnant bogs, and calcareous seeps. In developed areas, it may occur along ditches near railroads and roadsides. This is an indicator plant of high quality habitat.

Sources: 1. [|Illinois Wild Flowers] 2. [|Indian Plantain Fact Sheet] 3. [|Zip Code Zoo]