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Prairie Plantain

Arnoglossum plantagineum

Other common name(s):

Indian Plantain, Groovestem Indian Plantain, Prairie Indian Plantain.

Family:

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Cross Timbers, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Eastern Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Western Cross Timbers
Balcones Canyonlands
Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

2
to
5
ft.

Spread

2
to
3
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Clay, Calcareous, Rich, Moist

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Green

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Beetles, Butterflies, Nectar Insects, Moths, Bees

Maintenance

Prefers rich, moist soil in prairies, fields and open woods. Makes a great addition to wet meadow or prairie planting.

Comments

Blooms May-August. While the flowers are inconspicuous forming in a terminal, broad, flat-topped cymelike array. The foliage is striking, with thick, glossy leaves that occur mostly at the plant base. Upper leaves are smaller. Tuberous roots. Stems usually unbranched below the inflorescence, usually with deep reddish stripes.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym(s): Cacalia paniculata, Cacalia plantaginea, Cacalia pteranthes, Cacalia plantaginea, Cacalia tuberosa, Mesadenia tuberosa

References

1) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ARPL4; 2) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=36587#null; 3) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=2161&locationType=County&mapType=Normal; 3) https://warcapps.usgs.gov/PlantID/Species/Details/2858; 5) https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/species/description/13675/Arnoglossum-plantagineum; 6) https://www.prairiemoon.com/arnoglossum-plantagineum-prairie-indian-plantain, 7) https://www.missouriplants.com/Arnoglossum_plantagineum_page.html

Get in Touch

Contact the State

Contact a local Chapter

State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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