Plantago Patagonica

Plantago patagonica is a species of plantain known by the common name woolly plantain. It is native to much of North America, including the southern half of Canada, the western and central United States, and northern Mexico, and parts of southern South America. It grows in many types of habitat, including grassland and woodlands. It is a hairy annual herb producing linear or very narrowly lance-shaped basal leaves up to 10 centimetres (4 in) long. There are usually many stemlike inflorescences growing erect to a maximum height of around 15 cm (6 in). Atop the peduncle of the inflorescence is a dense cylindrical or somewhat conical spike of several tiny flowers and bracts. The spike is very woolly.

Plantago patagonica
Conservation status
Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Plantaginaceae
Genus:	Plantago
Species:	P. patagonica
Binomial name
Plantago patagonica Jacq.
Synonyms
Plantago picta Plantago purshii Plantago spinulosa Plantago wyomingensis

Native Americans including the Navajo, Puebloans, and Hopi used this as a medicinal and ceremonial plant. The Navajo and Puebloans use it for headaches, diarrhea, babies' colic, and to reduce appetite and prevent obesity.

Woolly plantain is a host species for the Edith's checkerspot butterfly.