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Buckhorn Plantain

Buckhorn plantain forms a spreading or upright basal rosette of narrowly oval leaves that grow above a long, sturdy taproot with lateral branches. Leaves of buckhorn plantains are sometimes twisted and curled, narrowly oval, dark green, and up to 1 1/2 inches wide and 8 inch long. The tips are sharp and the veins are prominent.

Buckhorn plantain forms many small flowers that are tightly clustered at the ends of long stems. The inflorescences resemble a bullet. The flower stalks are 6 to 30 inches tall, and the flowers occur during May to October.

Control

To control this weed without chemicals, maintain turf density and health through proper culture, especially fertilization. Mechanically pull removing as much of the taproot as possible.

Handpulling is a simple, practical approach for small areas. Improve the health and density of the lawn by fertilizing at the right time and with the correct amount; maintaining an appropriate soil pH; mowing at the recommended height; and watering properly. Apply a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch to ornamental bed areas to suppress germinating weed seeds. Postemergence herbicides are available depending on the kind of turfgrass in your lawn. Optimum timing of postemergence herbicides is midautumn.