Classification
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Plantago L., Sp. Pl. 112 (1753)
Synonymy:
  • = Littorella P.J. Bergius (1768)
Vernacular Name(s):
kopakopa; Pakopako; Pārerarera; Plantain; Tūkōrehu
 Description

Annual or perennial herbs. Stems usually simple and very short, forming a caudex (rootstock) at or below ground level, sometimes elongated and branched, often with long hairs, occasionally woody and forming small subshrubs. Primary root persistent, or short-lived with subsequent adventitious root system. Lvs usually in basal rosettes, sometimes cauline, opposite or alternate. Fls in heads or cylindric spikes, rarely solitary, 4-merous, usually ☿ and protogynous, sometimes unisexual; sepals similar to bracts, equal or not, free or connate at base. Corolla scarious or membranous; tube narrow, persisting at fr. apex; lobes usually patent or deflexed. Stamens epipetalous, usually exserted but included in cleistogamous fls. Ovary 2-locular, but sometimes appearing 4-locular by placental outgrowths; placentation axile. Ovules 1–6–(8) per loculus; style filiform. Capsule circumscissile, enclosed in persistent calyx. Seeds 1-many, ± mucilaginous when wet.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Non-endemic)
Number of species in New Zealand within Plantago L.
CategoryNumber
Indigenous (Endemic)9
Indigenous (Non-endemic)2
Exotic: Fully Naturalised7
Exotic: Casual1
Total19
 Bibliography
Linnaeus, C. 1753: Species Plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm.
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.
Rahn, K. 1996: A PHYLOGENETIC STUDY OF THE PLANTAGINACEAE [Review]. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 120(2): 145–198.