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.