Plantago lanceolata

Plantago lanceolata_buckhorn plantain_JM DiTomaso
Photo courtesy Joseph DiTomaso

Common names: English plantain; buckhorn plantain; buck plantain; black-jacks; narrowleaf plantain; lanceleaf plantain; ribbed plantain; ribgrass; ribwort

Plantago lanceolata (buckhorn plantain, English plantain) is a perennial forb/herb (family Plantaginaceae) found widespread throughout California. This plant tolerates sand, clay and serpentine soils and thrives in disturbed areas. It is also a common lawn weed. It is considered a noxious weed to both livestock and native plants.

Cal-IPC Rating: Limited

Cal-IPC Assessment

Plant Assessment Form - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.

Weed Management Notes

  • Management Notes - Information on management techniques and effectiveness from the University of California Cooperative Extension’s Weed Research & Information Center.

Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles

There are no newsletter articles associated with this species yet.

Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations

Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.

There are no Symposium presentations associated with this species yet.

Other Plantago lanceolata Information

  • CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
  • Calflora - See the distribution of this species on Calflora's map of California.
  • CalWeedMapper - Distribution information with ability to determine regional priorities.
  • Jepson Online Interchange for California Flora - Information on taxonomy, biology, and distribution from UC Berkeley's Jepson Herbarium.
  • USDA PLANTS Database - Federal database with information on identification and distribution, and links to websites in individual states.