BRACTED PLANTAIN, Plantago
aristata Michx. 1, entire plant; 2, single flower
with bract; 3, two views of seed. Annual or winter
annual, reproducing by seeds. Stems erect, simple, leafless,
hairy, 6 to 18 inches (15 to 45 cm) tall, terminating in flower spike.
Leaves at ground level in basal rosette, long, loosely hairy, becoming
smooth. Flowers numerous, petals inconspicuous, in axils of long
bracts, in spikes at top of stem. Seed pods 2-seeded. Seeds
boat-shaped with groove across oval side of seed, 2 white scars in indentation
on inner surface, rough-surfaced, dull light brown in color, about 1/8
inch (3 mm) long. Found in meadows, pastures, and waste places,
usually on rather dry soil of low fertility.