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      1. Common Name
      2. Scientific Name
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      6. Salinity in the Loddon Murray Region
      7. Salinity in the Central and Northern Victorian Region
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      9. Salinity in the Wimmera Region
      10. Salinity in the Mallee Region
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Ribwort

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Ribwort Photos

Scientific Name:Plantago lanceolata
Ribwort plant
Ribwort plant
Photo: A J Brown

Other Common Names:
Ribgrass, Lamb’s-tongue, Plantain

Status:
Native of Europe and Central Asia. Naturalised to many parts of the world, including Australia.

Plant Description:

An annual or biennial herb with a thick and persistent taproot. The leaves are densely to sparsely covered in silky hairs and arise from a short, broad crown, which in mown lawn situations, gives the appearance of a ‘flatweed’. Leaves are lanceolate (spear-shaped) to elliptic, 8-20 cm long and 10-30 mm wide with a few minute marginal teeth and 5 prominent and parallel veins.

Flower stalks (scapes) are up to 45 cm high and longitudinally ridged. Flower-heads are ovoid to cylindrical spikes, 1-12 cm long. Fruit is a capsule 3-4 mm long.

Habitat:
A common garden weed and weed of waste places and cultivation. Has moderate waterlogging tolerance but is not tolerant of salinity. Has good drought tolerance.

Comments:
Ribwort has been used for medicinal purposes in parts of the world. It is currently being developed as a fodder crop in temperate Australia.

There are about 20 species of Plantain found in Victoria, including both Australian native and introduced exotics. Of these, only Buck’s-horn Plantain (Plantago coronopus) appears to tolerate saline conditions, although some, such as Greater Plantain (P. major) may be able to survive in short-term brackish waters.

Ribwort Photos

Ribwort flower-head
Ribwort Flower-head
Photo: A J Brown
Base of Ribwort plant
Base of Ribwort plant
Photo: A J Brown

Leaves of Ribwort
Leaves of Ribwort
Photo: A J Brown

Ribwort plant
Ribwort plant
Photo: A J Brown

[Ribwort flower-head with anthers
Ribwort flower-head with anthers
Photo: A J Brown

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