Etymology: Plantago: from Latin planta meaning "foot print"
Plants: erect, perennial, 3"-12" tall forb; fibrous roots
Leaves: 3-veined, widely elliptical to oval, stalk base reddish
Flowers: green to white, 4-parted, 1/16" long; leaf-like, smooth, lance-like to triangular bracts below the flowers; inflorescence a 2"-12", dense, narrow tapering spike less than 1/3" thick; blooms June-Aug.
Habitat: disturbed sites, lawns