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pale Indian plaintain
Scientific Name: Arnoglossum atriplicifolium
Family: Asteraceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Pale Indian Plantain
The plant commonly known as Pale Indian Plantain is scientifically recognized as Arnoglossum atriplicifolium. It was formerly known as Cacalia atriplicifolia. Other common names include tuberous Indian plantain, and it's also referred to as Indian plantain, despite not being closely related to other plants with similar common names.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Arnoglossum atriplicifolium (L.) H. Robinson (formerly Cacalia atriplicifolia)
- Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
- Synonyms: Cacalia atriplicifolia, Cacalia rotundifolia, Mesadenia atriplicifolia
Considerations for Pets
- The plant is known to have stout, smooth leaves.
Considerations for Children
- The plant is known to have stout, smooth leaves.
Distribution and Habitat
Pale Indian Plantain is native to much of the eastern and central USA. It thrives in prairies, open woodlands, and along stream edges. It is absent/unreported in the northernmost parts of its range but can be found in areas ranging from Minnesota south to Oklahoma.
Ecological Role
Pale Indian Plantain can be aggressive and may not be suitable for small landscape plantings. Its aggressive nature might have implications for biodiversity in certain environments.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- This plant is a perennial wildflower that can reach heights of 3 to 10 feet.
- It forms a rosette of basal leaves that can span up to 1 foot across. The basal leaves can be up to 8 inches long and 6 inches across.
- The leaves are irregularly shaped with pointed lobes and have a glaucous-white coating beneath.
- It has hardy stems, thick leathery leaves and clusters of creamy bracted flowers.
- The stems are erect, unbranched below the inflorescence, round in cross-section, weakly ridged or smooth, and waxy.
- It features flat-topped clusters of small, creamy white flowers from July to September, with seeds ripening from August to October.
Quirky Facts
- The leaves of Pale Indian Plantain have been described as looking almost artificial or like they were made of plastic.
- The plant has blue-green leaves on towering purple-tinged stems.
- Visitors are often enthralled with it, with some people even using a step-ladder for viewing comfort.
Interactions with Other Organisms
The clusters of cream-colored blooms are highly attractive to pollinators.