Plantago virginica

Plantago virginica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants
Class:	Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Order:	Plantaginales
Family:	Plantaginaceae
Genus:	Plantago
Species:	P. virginica
Binomial name
Plantago virginica L.
Natural range of Plantago virginica from USDA NRCS Plants Database.

Taxonomic notes

Common name: Virginia plantain

Ecology

Habitat

A natural community of P. virginica is a frequently burned mature longleaf pine-wiregrass community (FSU Herbarium). In human disturbed areas it has been documented to grow in a mowed grassy roadside, old biocontrol plots, and a lawn near a T.V. tower (FSU Herbarium). It has been observed growing with Pinus palustris and Aristida (FSU Herbarium). It is known to grow in loamy soil and sand of disturbed roadsides (FSU Herbarium).

Phenology

It has been recorded to bloom in March, April and December (FSU Herbarium).

Seed bank and germination

When exposed to natural seasonal changes, buried seeds of P. virginica exhibit an annual conditional dormancy/non-dormancy cycle (Baskin et al. 2003). Dormancy is broken in the summer, with the germination season extending from September to November (Baskin et al. 2003). Peak germination for P. virginica occurs in October (Baskin et al. 2003).

References and notes

Baskin, C. C., J. M. Baskin, et al. (2003). "Seasonal changes in the germination responses of buried seeds of three native eastern North American winter annuals." Plant Species Biology 18: 59-66.