Ribwort Plantain wildflower

The erect leaves are ribbed with 3 to 6 veins. The flower stalk is deeply furrowed, and the flower spikes are shorter and very compact. It grows from 6 inches to 2 feet tall and is a good source of vitamins and minerals for grazing animals.

Uses

Ribwort plantain will flourish in meadows, attract many small butterflies and moths and provide a good source of food for birds in the winter months.

Persistence

Ribwort plantain is a perennial with good persistency

Strengths

The seedheads remain for most of the winter, providing feed for birds.

Frost Tolerance

Flowers through to the first frost. Can tolerate low temperatures but won't survive being frozen.

Ideal Sowing Time

Sow from April - September

Management

Ribwort plantain can become a dominant species management either by tilling or mowing can be used to greatly reduce populations of this plant.

Distinguishing characteristics

Seed
oval, smooth, brown seeds.

Seedling
Seedling has ovate leaves. True leaves are lanceolate, slightly toothed.

Flowering Plant
Ribwort plantain has spear shaped leaves that form a rosette at the base of the plant. Short stems grow from its leaves, with compact flower heads that display a halo of protruding white stamens. The flower heads gradually turn brown and seed.

Additional Info

Flowers April to September Some alternative names for Ribwort Plantain are black jack and buckhorn. The flower heads taste similar to mushrooms and can be used to make a mushroom stock but they must be collected after they've turned brown but before they get dry.

Works well with

Ribwort plantain looks best growing with wildflowers that bloom in early to mid summer such as Ox-eye daisy, Knapweeds, Mallows, Meadow cranesbills and scabious.

You can find Ribwort Plantain wildflower in the following mixtures

• Floristically Enhanced Field Margin (CIPM2/IPM2/AB8)
• Acid & Clay Soil Mixture
• Damp Meadow
• Nectar Stewardship Mix (CIPM2/IPM2/AB8)
• Cotswold Wild Flora
• Meadow Over-Seeding Just Wild Flowers