What is the weed that grows in my walkways which has leaeves shaped like a wooden spoon?

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Question What is the weed that grows in my walkways which has leaves shaped like a wooden spoon?

Answer This plant is most likely Plantago major. According to NC State University, it is the second most common broadleaf weed in turf. Dandelion is number one. Plantago major has more common names than you can shake a stick at. The most prolific common name found in weed identification books is “Common Plantain.”

Common plantain grows in a range of soil types and conditions. It can grow in compact soils. Therefore, it is often found thriving in places, like walkways, where other plants can’t live. This plant is native to Europe. As Europeans traveled around the world, it tagged along. North American Indians called it “Englishman's Foot” or “White Man's Foot (or Footprint),” as it was said to grow where ever their feet touched the ground.

“White man’s foot” has a long medicinal history dating back to ancient times. Everything from hay fever to blood loss has been treated by this herb. North American Indians quickly recognized the healing powers this plant possessed. One Indian name for this plant translates to “life medicine.” Some Indians carried powdered roots of “life medicine” as protection against snakebites and to ward off snakes. This practice led to the name “Snake Weed.”

While Europeans in the colonies (now United States) were spreading “white man’s footprint” and Indians were picking “snake weed,” Europeans in Europe were waging war against each other. During their bouts of blood letting, they discovered this herb has blood clotting abilities. It was adopted as a field dressing and called “Soldier’s Herb.”

“Soldier’s herb” can be eaten in salads or brewed as a tea. Over the years, people have traded home remedies for corporate pharmaceutical concoctions. While researchers now try to unravel the secrets of “life medicine,” we are content to call this plant “weed” (not to be confused with the Indian peace pipe plant we call “weed”).

Some people have discovered an ornamental side of this plant. There is a cultivar called ‘Rubrifolia’ which has purple leaves and a cultivar called ‘Variegata’ which has variegated leaves. It is ironic how people can recognize the ornamental aspect of a plant while overlooking its healing properties.

For info, visit http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/potd/2008/10/plantago_major.php To rid this “helpful” weed from your lawn, take steps to alleviate soil compaction. For all-American spray solutions, visit http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/turfid/csPagedPdField.aspx?PlantID=PLAMA If you don’t have internet access, call me at 910-893-7533 or email me at gpierce@harnett.org

Other common names include Broadleaf plantain, Great plantain, Greater plantain, Buckhorn plantain, Ripple grass, Rippleseed plantain, Waybread, Waybroad, Cuckoo's bread, Cart track plant, Dooryard plantain, Healing blade, Hen plant, Lambs foot and Roadweed. While I’m sure they all have interesting stories, I can see where the combination of Cuckoo’s bread and Ripple grass may leave you laying in a Cart track wishing you had a Healing blade and swearing you’ll never again touch Roadweed, while a Hen plant stands over you shaking a Lambs foot.

Gary L. Pierce

Horticulture Extension Agent