Plantago lanceolata L.
Buckhorn
Ribwort plantain is one of Britain's most familiar native wildflowers, a tough perennial found almost everywhere grass grows. It forms a basal rosette of long, narrow leaves marked with prominent parallel veins, or ribs, that give the plant its name.
About
Ribwort plantain is one of Britain's most familiar native wildflowers, a tough perennial found almost everywhere grass grows. It forms a basal rosette of long, narrow leaves marked with prominent parallel veins, or ribs, that give the plant its name. From the rosette rise wiry, grooved stems carrying compact, oval flower heads, each ringed by a halo of protruding creamy-white stamens that makes the otherwise dull brown heads surprisingly attractive close up.
It grows in meadows, pastures, lawns, verges and disturbed or cultivated ground across a wide range of soils, asking only for reasonable light. The flowers are wind-pollinated but their abundant pollen is gathered by bees and hoverflies, and the foliage feeds the caterpillars of several butterflies and moths. Hard-wearing and quick to establish, it is a standard component of wildflower meadow seed mixes, where it adds structure and supports a broad range of insects.
Also known as
Buckhorn Plantain · English Plantai · English Plantain · Lanceleaf Plantain · Narrow-leaf Plantain · Narrowleaf Plantain · Ribgrass · Ribwort · Ribwort Plantain · Ribwort plantain
Synonyms
Arnoglossum lanceolatum · Arnoglossum lanceolatum ramosum · Arnoglossum lanceolatum roseum · Arnoglossum lanceolatum trinervium · Lagopus lanceolatus · Lagopus timbali · Plantago abyssinica · Plantago ambigua · Plantago argentea · Plantago attenuata · Plantago azorica
In our seed mixes
- BFS 1 – Traditional Hay Meadow Wildflower Mix
- BFS 10 – Species Rich Wildflower Meadow Seed Mix
- BFS 11a – Coastal Floodplain Grassland Meadow Seed Mix
- BFS 120 – Wildlife Wildflower Seed Mix for Bees, Birds and Butterflies- 100% Flora
- BFS 13 – Tussocky Grassland Wildflower Meadow Mix
- BFS 3 – Floodplain Meadow Grassland Seed Mix
- BFS 4 – Heavy Clay Soil Wildflower Seed Mix
- BFS 5 – Wetland & Pond Edge Wildflower Seed Mix
- BFS 8 – High Nutrient Initial Establishment Wildflower Grassland Mix – 50% Flora
- BFS 9 – Country Meadow Wildflower Seed Mix
- BFS1(F) – Traditional Hay Meadow 100% Wildflower
- BFS10(F) – Species Rich 100% Wildflower Meadow Mix
- BFS11A(F)- Coastal Floodplain 100% Meadow Mix
- BFS13(F) – Tussocky Grassland 100% Wildflower Meadow Mix
- BFS3(F)-Floodplain 100% Meadow Grassland Mix
- BFS4(F) – Heavy Clay Soil 100% Wildflower Seed Mix
- BFS5(F)-Wetland & Pond Edge 100% Wildflower Seed Mix
- BFS8(F) – High Nutrient Initial Establishment 100% Wildflower Mix
- BFS9(F)- Country Meadow 100% Wildflower Seed Mix
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.