Plantcompass

General Information

Family: Plantain family (Plantaginaceae)
Flowering period in Central Europe: Early spring to early autumn
Months: 5–9(10)

Allergy potential
CARE-S* Level 2.

Cross-reactions
Cross-reactions to pollen of olive and goosefoot plants are possible.

Botanical Information

Distribution
Over 240 species worldwide.

Morphology
Habit — Herbaceous, annual or perennial. Foliage — Leaves form a basal rosette or are opposite or alternate along the stem. Reproduction — Monoecious, spike-like inflorescences, seeds in capsule fruits.

Common species in Europe

Broadleaf Plantain (Plantago major).
Allergy potential — CARE-S* Level 2. Habit — Perennial, herbaceous. Foliage — Basal rosette of leaves, spoon-shaped leaves, up to hand-sized. Habitats — Roadsides, pavement cracks, meadows (resistant to trampling). Low to high mountain areas. Flowering period in Central Europe — Late May to October.

Narrowleaf plantain (Plantago lanceolata).
Habit — Perennial, herbaceous. Foliage — Basal rosette of leaves, elongated lanceolate leaves, young leaves hairy. Habitats — Fields, roadsides, meadows (resistant to trampling). Low to high mountain areas. Flowering period in Central Europe — Late May to September.

* CARE-S is an evidence-based system for categorising the allergenic potential of plants. Additional information about CARE-S is available here.