Indian Plantain

Arnoglossum plantagineum C. Rafinesque-Schmaltz

Asteraceae : Senecioneae

This is one of the natives that should be used more in gardens. It has very pretty leaves and unique small flowers. The flowers include only the disk flowers. The ray flowers (commonly called petals) are absent.

Behind the Name :

There are about 50 species in the genus Arnoglossum. They are located mostly in eastern Asia - with two species in Texas. Arnoglossum plantagineum will intergrade with the other Texas species, Arnoglossum lanceolata.

The common name and species name come from 'plantain' because of the similarity of the leaves of Arnoglossum plantagineum and most species of Plantago.

Arnoglossum -

From the Greek "arnos" (lamb) and "glossa" (tongue)

plantagineum -

For similarity of leaves to those in the genus Plantago

Alternate common names for Arnoglossum plantagineum are Prairie Plantain, Tuberous Indian-Plantain, Finned Indian Plantain, and Groove-stem Indian Plantain.

Scientific synonyms are Cacalia paniculata, Cacalia plantaginea, Cacalia pteranthes, Cacalia tuberosa, Conophora tuberosa, Mesadenia plantaginea, Mesadenia tuberosa and Senecio nuttallii.

Tags :

native Texas wildflower, Texas native wildflower, Texas native plant, perennial, alternate leaves, white flowers, green flowers, pale yellow flowers, attractive foliage, garden worthy, prairies, fields, pastures, roadsides, meadows, woodland openings, full sun, Spring flowers, Summer flowers, sporadic Fall flowers, Compositae, Sunflower family, Aster family, Daisy family, Groovestem Indian Plantain, Tuberous Indian Plantain, Finned Indian-Plantain

• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: species account
• USDA PLANTS Database: plant profile
• Flora of North America: plant details page
• Flora of North America: key to the Arnoglossum genus
• Dave's Garden: plant details and seed availability