User:Callian/Plantago virginica

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... It is commonly found within the continental United States in the majority of states along coastal areas and on roads, though has become an invasive species to eastern China after its introduction c. 1980. It is an annual plant, blooming around the month of May.

Description

Plantago virginica is an annual flowering plant that possesses both male and female flowers that are arranged on a spike. The entire plant is often covered in numerous tiny hairs that grow on both the leaves and stem. The habit of P. virginica is low-lying and grows close to the ground. The seeds of P. virginica are typically of a brown hue. Seeds tend to not differ too greatly in size, typically around 2mm in size. P. virginica tends to grow less than a thousand meters above sea level.

Plantago virginica specimen from the Catawba College Herbarium.

Taxonomy

The word Plantago is derived from two routes. The first being the Latin word planta, which simply means "flat" and -ago, which refers to a semblance of. So it is in reference to the flat appearance of some of the leaves of species within the genus. Virginica is a word that's related to provenance and is actually used for numerous species, plant or not. Examples include Crassotrea virginica, Elimia virginica, Itea virginica , and Iris virginica.

Natural Habitat

Plantago virginica is native to the southern and eastern states of the United States of America. While in these areas, it tends to prefer soil types with larger grains which limits the areas in which it can take root. It can be found in and around most of the continental United States and into Canada.

Invasive Nature

In the 1980's Plantago virginica was introduced to China via trade where it has since become an invasive species. Since its entrance into China, P. virginica has begun to develop various traits which make it distinct from its North American variety. Extracts from the plant have effected various lawn species resulting in phenomenon such as inhibited seed growth, altered growing patterns, and suppressing various mechanisms within cooccurring plants such as root growth. The extra nitrogen found within the soil has helped it thrive within the eastern Chinese environment, leading to a larger general biomass than United States native plants. Plantago virginica has also begun to outcompete local species Plantago asiatica thanks to it investing more into its reproductive capabilities than towards vegetative growth. As a result, it's been reproducing at a rate which P. asiatica cannot keep up with. Plantago virginica has also spread diseases to local plants and is considered a weed of crops.

The invasive population of Plantago virginica has developed several differences from its native counterpart. Chinese population of the plant tend to germinate before native North American species, but develop reproductive parts such as seeds after the native plant. Furthermore, introduced populations have developed less phenotypic diversity than native North American selections of P. virginica. Invasive populations of P. virginica also tend to remain dormant in the soil for shorter durations of time relative native North American populations.

Culture

Plantago virginica tends to grow in areas with loose and disturbed soil. Specific soil types it prefers include clay, loam, and sand. It also tends to prefer either open or sloped areas such as ditches on the side of the road, gravely patches, and similar locations. Plantago virginica often blooms around the month of May and is considered a spring plant.

Relationship with Fauna

Plantago virginica is often a food source for small insects such as beetles and weevils. Plantago virginica (as well as other Plantago species) has been found to be dispersed into environments via horse dung and survive through the horses digestive system, allowing it to be dispersed over long ranges where horses can travel. Impediments such as governmental laws prohibiting horse riding in an area, can have an impact on this form of dispersal.