Plantago varia
R.Br. Variable PlantainTaprooted perennial. Leaves rosetted, narrow-elliptic, mostly 6–20 cm long and 0.5–2 cm wide, acute or obtuse, pubescent, 3–5-veined, margins usually with conspicuous triangular and often retrorse teeth; petiole indistinct. Spike cylindric, mostly 3–11 cm long, congested, sometimes more open at base; peduncles 5–25 cm long, pubescent; bracts ovate, 2.8–3.5 mm long, acute, keel pilose, margins ciliate. Sepals elliptic, usually 2.8–3.5 mm long, subequal; corolla-tube 2–2.5 mm long, lobes 1.5–2.3 mm long, spreading or reflexed; anthers 1.5–2.5 mm long, exserted. Capsule ovoid to subglobose, mostly 3–3.5 mm long, style-base persistent; seeds 1–5, compressed-ellipsoid, 1.5–2.5 mm long, brown. Flowers mostly Aug.–Apr.
LoM, MuM, Wim, GleP, Brid, VVP, VRiv, MuF, GipP, OtP, WaP, Gold, CVU, GGr, DunT, NIS, EGL, EGU, WPro, HSF, HNF, OtR, Strz, MonT, HFE, VAlp. Also SA, Qld, NSW, ACT, Tas. Widespread and often locally common through a wide range of habitats, but generally replaced by Plantago debilis in moist, shaded sites.
Plants of intermediate morphology between Plantago varia and P. gaudichaudii have been collected at various locations in Victoria and South Australia. See also note under P. antarctica. Plants with aberrant leaf-like bracts have been collected at Somerton.
Jeanes, J.A. (1999). Plantaginaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 4, Cornaceae to Asteraceae, pp. 463–474. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
Spinning
