Family: Plantaginaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Plantago major, commonly known as broadleaf plantain, common plantain, greater plantain, or large plantain, is a low-growing perennial herb native to temperate regions of Eurasia, the Arabian Peninsula, Macaronesia, and parts of northern and southern Africa. It has broad oval leaves arranged in a basal rosette and produces upright flower spikes with many tiny seeds. This adaptable species has spread widely around the world and is now naturalized throughout Hawai‘i, where it is commonly found in lawns, pastures, roadsides, disturbed sites, and a wide range of vegetation communities from coastal areas to wet forests up to about 1,250 m elevation. Historically, the plant has been used in traditional herbal medicine and is sometimes valued as a hardy groundcover in heavily disturbed areas.

Risks & Threats
Although often overlooked because of its common appearance, Plantago major is naturalized in Hawai‘i and possesses traits that are cause for concern in tropical island ecosystems. It produces abundant seeds, tolerates a wide range of environmental conditions, and readily colonizes disturbed habitats, allowing it to spread and persist across multiple islands, including Hawai‘i Island, Maui, O‘ahu, Kaua‘i, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, Midway Atoll, and French Frigate Shoals. Its ability to establish dense populations in disturbed areas may contribute to the displacement of native vegetation and alteration of habitat conditions.

High Risk Traits:

• Broad distribution, climate tolerance, and elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Grows in temperate and tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Hawaii and Midway (Hawaiian Islands), and widely naturalized worldwide
  
• Weed of disturbed sites, agriculture and the natural environment
  
• Identified as a threat to the endangered fern Microlepia strigosa var. mauiensis
  
• Other Plantago species are invasive
  
• Host for recognized pests and pathogens
  
• Prolific pollen can cause hay fever
  
• Partial shade tolerance
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• May form dense stands that can exclude other vegetation
  
• Produces seeds which are dispersed by adhering to people, animals and equipment
  
• Self-compatible
  
• Seeds also dispersed by water and internally by other animals
  
• Able to reach maturity in 1 year
  
• Prolific seed production
  
• Can form a persistence seed bank (seeds viable for 40+ years)
  
• Can tolerate mowing and resprouts after cutting

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Provides fodder for livestock
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Not able to hybridize with other Plantago species
  
• Herbicides provide effective control