PLANTAIN FAMILY. PLANTAGINACEAE.

Fig 171. [Sand Plantain. Plantago arenaria] W. & K.

Sand Plantain. Plantago arenaria W. & K. Seeds dark amber brown, shining, rounded on the back like the bottom of a shallow canoe, 2.5–3 mm. long, transverse groove around the middle of the back, opposite side with a groove extending lengthwise, about as wide as the ridge on either side of it; hilum in the middle of the groove. Found at Harrisville, Mich.

Fig 172. [Large-bracted Plantain. Plantago aristata] Michx.

Large-bracted Plantain. Plantago aristata Michx. Seeds oval, dull, light to dark brown, 2.2–3 mm. long, shaped like a shallow, thick-walled canoe with ends rounded alike, outer face marked by a shallow, transverse groove at or near the middle, a white line marking the margin at the base on the canoe inside, two white-margined pits occupying the middle of the concave side. Introduced from the west in clover seeds, not yet common.

Fig 173. [Rib-Grass. Narrow-leaved Plantain. Plantago lanceolata L.]

Rib-Grass. Narrow-leaved Plantain. Plantago lanceolata L. Seeds shining, amber-colored to brown, oval, 2–2.5 mm. long, shaped like a shallow, thick-walled canoe with ends rounded alike, a dark scar occupying the middle of the narrow concave side, a faint, transverse groove across the convex side near the middle sometimes apparent. Often found mixed with clover seeds from which it is very difficult to separate. Introduced from Europe.

Fig 174. [Broad-leaved Plantain. Plantago major] L.

Broad-leaved Plantain. Plantago major L. Seeds, light to dark brown or very nearly black, 1–1.5 mm. long, slightly flattened, with acute edges very variable in shape, oval, oblong, rhomboidal and trapezoid, the surface roughened by slender, colored ridges, appearing under the lens as slightly wavy lines, radiating from the scar. The clear light green color of the lower end of the leaf-stem is an easy mark to distinguish this plant from another broad-leaved plantain, P. Rugelii in which the base of leaf is red. Introduced from Europe. About door yards.

Fig 175. [Rugel's Broad-leaved Plantain. Plantago Rugelii Decne.]

Rugel's Broad-leaved Plantain. Plantago Rugelii Decne. Seeds dark brown to black, much like those of P. major, but larger, 1.5–2.5 mm. long slightly flattened, with edges acute, very variable in shape, oval oblong, rhomboidal, surface minutely roughened and dull, but wholly without ridge or lines as in P. major. Native of this country. Lower end of leaf-stalk red, and not clear green as in P. major. A vile pest in clover fields.