Plantain Flower Head And Bee Mimic 2 - Plantago Lanceolata Royalty-Free Stock Photography

The adventive English Plantain is a common plant that occurs in every county of Illinois. It is native to Eurasia. Habitats include lawns, cracks in pavement, vacant lots, fallow fields, grassy paths, and roadsides. This plant prefers highly disturbed areas and it has not invaded natural areas to any significant extent. English Plantain fits the public's stereotype of a weed pretty well it is quite common in lawns. There are several plantain species in Illinois, both native and introduced. Compared to many other plantains, English Plantain has leaves that are more narrow and flowering spikes that are shorter. Because the flowers are primarily wind-pollinated, they attract few insects. Sometimes small bees collect pollen from the anthers, while Syrphid flies feed on the pollen, but such visits are uncommon. The foliage of English Plantain and other plantains is browsed by some mammals, including the Cottontail Rabbit, White-tailed Deer, and cattle, even though it is rather bitter and stringy. Because the seeds become sticky when they are wet, they can cling to the bottoms of shoes and feet. Thus, humans and various animals help to spread the seeds into new areas.