Broadleaf plantain is also known as common plantain and dooryard plantain. Other names for buckhorn plantain are narrow-leaf plantain, ribwart plantain, English plantain, and ribgrass. Both broadleaf and buckhorn plantain were introduced from Europe and followed the European settlement of North America. Young leaves of broadleaf plantain are sometimes used as a potherb or in salads or they can be steeped in hot water to produce a tea.
Whole seeds have a laxative effect if eaten raw.
Its fibrous root system is primarily found in the top 18 inches of soil. The blade merges smoothly into the petiole, which is shorter than that of broadleaf plantain. The base of the leaf stalks and the crown of the plant are covered with tan, woolly hairs. Its dense spike of flowers is about 1 to 2 inches in length and shorter than the spike of broadleaf plantain. Both species are found throughout the state and grow year-round except in the coldest intermountain areas where they are dormant during the coldest months.