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Ribwort Plantain

A tussock-like, rosette plant. Tussock size up to 30 cm high and wide with a flower stalk up to 1 m high.

Leaves

Long, sword-shaped and forming a clump. Each individual leaf is 8 – 20 cm long and 1 – 3 cm wide and usually stands upright. There are 5 veins running down each leaf.

Flowers

Small and initially cream, but turn brown rapidly. They grow on top of a ridged, 1 m high flower stem growing from the centre of the tussock of leaves. The flowers form a tight, cylindrical cluster which is 1 – 7 cm long.

Fruits/Seeds

A black to brown seed pod, 3 – 4 mm long contains 1 – 2 yellow to pale brown seeds.

Field Guide

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  • Species Category: Plants
  • Species origin: Other
  • Conservation status: Common
  • Did You Know?
    • Native to Europe and northern and central Asia
    • Classified as a weed in some areas and it may contribute to hayfever

  • What to Observe

    • First fully open single flower

    • Full flowering (record all days)

    • End of flowering (when 95% of the flowers have faded)

  • When and Where

    When To Look

    • From September through to May
    • Flowers appear from September to April

    Where To Look

    • In all Australian states except Northern Territory
    • In woodland, grassland, disturbed sites, pastures, lawns and gardens in coastal and inland regions
    • Look in gardens and disturbed areas like sports ovals and roadsides

  • What Else?

    Similar Species

    Variable Plantain (Plantago varia) leaves usually have a toothed or jagged edge (not smooth like the Ribwort Plantain) and there is a dense tuft of reddish-brown hairs at the base of each leaf. Its flower stem can be shorter, only growing to a height of about 36 cm.
  • Trails: Capital Hill ACT, Kangaroo Valley PS NSW, Killalea State Park NSW, Lake Seppings Albany WA, Monash University VIC, Murdoch University WA, Newhaven College VIC, North Head NSW, Organ Pipes NP VIC, Rocky Creek Dam NSW, Serendip Sanctuary VIC, Yarra Bend Park VIC
  • Species Region: Australia