Buckhorn Plantain

About

Buckhorn plantain is a clump of long, narrow, ribbed leaves with flower spikes on tall, wiry stalks. It is very common in poorly kept lawns and survives mowing.

Also called narrowleaf plantain, English plantain, ribwort plantain, ribgrass, lanceleaf plantain

How to identify it

Look for

Leaves are lance-shaped, under an inch wide and often 6 inches or more long, with a few strong parallel veins and sometimes curled edges. Short, dense flower spikes sit on top of long, hairy, leafless stalks that stand above the leaves. The root is a short taproot with many fibrous roots.

Look-alikes

Broadleaf plantain has the same ribbed leaves but they are broad and oval, and its flower spikes are long and slim.

Where it grows

Thin, poorly kept lawns, compacted or overwatered spots, pastures and roadsides.

When

Seeds sprout from late spring to midsummer; flower stalks show up from about June to September.

How it spreads

By seed only; each capsule holds a couple of small dark seeds.

Most common in

Where it is regulated

Listed as a restricted noxious weed seed (a limit in seed for sale) in many states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Kansas.

What to do, gentlest first

Start at the top. Weed killers are a last step; always read and follow the label.

1. Keep the lawn thick Prevent

   Fertilize, water and mow correctly with a grass suited to your site so there are no thin spots for seeds to fill.

2. Dig before it seeds By hand

   Pull or dig plants when the soil is moist, taking the crown and root, before the flower heads ripen.

3. Mulch beds Barrier

   Keep 2 to 3 inches of mulch in garden beds.

4. Vinegar on young plants Organic spray

   Horticultural vinegar kills small seedlings; established clumps usually regrow.

   Strong vinegar (over about 11% acetic acid) can burn skin and eyes, so wear gloves and eye protection. It browns any leaves it touches, grass included.

5. Broadleaf lawn herbicide in fall Conventional spray

   Spot-treat with a lawn broadleaf weed killer labeled for plantain; mid-fall is the best time. Sulfentrazone is another option in lawns.

   Read and follow the label. Many lawn weed killers also harm vegetables, flowers and shrubs, so don't let spray drift into beds, and keep dicamba products off the root zones of trees and shrubs.

Uses, wildlife and pets

Edible?

NC State lists the leaves as edible. Pick only from unsprayed ground away from roads.

Not 100% sure? Don't eat it. Never pick from ground that may have been sprayed, or along roads and railways.

For wildlife

Its flowers are pollinated by wind, flies and beetles, and bumblebees visit them.

Pets

Not listed by the ASPCA.