Raised, parallel veins can be found on the underside of the leaf. The petioles are sometimes tinged with red at the base. Both plantains produce erect flower stalks from June to September. Buckhorn plantain produces a cone-like spike of white flowers perched at the top of the leafless flower stalk. Broadleaf plantain produces white-petaled flowers along the length of a leafless flower stalk that may be 2 to 18 inches long.
Seed germinates in late spring through midsummer and sporadically in early fall.
Handpulling is a simple, practical approach for small areas. Postemergence herbicides are available depending on the kind of turfgrass in your lawn. Optimum timing of postemergence herbicides is midautumn. Apply all chemicals according to directions on the label. Prepared by Bob Polomski, Extension Consumer Horticulturist, and Bert McCarty, Turf Specialist, Clemson University.