Hoary Plantain

An uncommon perennial weed of turf surfaces, similar to Broad-Leaved Plantain. Its scientific name is Plantago media. It is a broad-leaved weed, preferring drier, neutral to chalky soils (which can include well drained clay soils overlying chalk areas), without any shade. Its leaves are oval, lightly hairy (downy), having typically 5 veins, but anywhere from 3 to 9 veins might be present. The leaves will typically be more ground hugging rather than upright, often being just a few within a rosette, not dying in winter. It flowers from May to August, having pinkish purple coloured, at the base, flowering stalks. It is also called Lambs-Tongue, due to its lightly hairy coverings.