Plantago lagopus L.

Ghazanfar, S. A. & Edmondson, J. R (Eds). (2014) Flora of Iraq, Volume 5 Part 2: Lythraceae to Campanulaceae.

Morphology General Habit

Annual, rarely perennial herb, acaulous, (3–)10–30(–40) cm, tufted at base

Morphology Leaves

Leaves erect, decumbent or ascending, lanceolate or lanceolate-elliptic, 5–12(–17) × (0.2–)0.6–1.5(–2) cm, base tapering to a petiole, acute, margins entire or mostly remotely denticulate, usually 3-veined, usually glabrous-glabrescent, rarely pilose or pubescent-villous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Peduncles

Peduncle sulcate, much longer than leaves, 10–20(–40) cm, hirsute

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Spike globular-ovoid or ovoid-cylindrical, 0.5–1.5(–6) cm; bracts ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, 2–4 mm long, villous outside, scarious except the herbaceous midrib

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx as long as bract but narrower, membranous except for the narrow herbaceous midrib, villous at apex and margins, the two anterior sepals united, posterior ovate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla lobes with brown midrib, usually glabrous, rarely sparsely pilose, 2.0–2.5 mm, ovate-lanceolate, acute to acuminate, corolla tube glabrous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule 2-seeded

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seed ovoid.

Ecology

In depressions in desert by irrigation canals, damp sandy soils, by roadside in damp soil, cultivated fields, stony river banks, rocky and pebbly slopes of hills and in shade of Quercus forest near streams; alt. 50–2000 m

Phenology

Flowering and fruiting: Feb.–May.

Distribution

Frequent in the Upper Plains and Foothills Region. Less frequent in the lower Mesopotamian Region and in the Mountain Region. S Europe, N Africa, Mediterranean, Palestine, Syria to Kuwait, Caucasus, Iran, Afghanistan to Pakistan.

Vernacular

IDHAN AS SAKHAILAH (recorded by Blakelock, loc.cit.).

Use

Grazed by livestock.