Arnoglossum reniforme.
Great Indian Plantain is a perennial wildflower native to the eastern and midwestern United States where it can often be found growing in fens, prairies, sedge meadows, and alongside lakes, rivers, and streams.
Plant grows to around 8 feet in height and produces numerous clusters of small white flowers that bloom from June through September.
Attracts numerous species of bees including carpenter bees and masked bees, as well as a number of wasps and fly species.
Habitat loss from agriculture, damming, and urbanization is threatening A. reniforme, so its inclusion in home gardens is beneficial to local ecosystems!
Great Indian Plantain
Growth Chart
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9 Light Requirement: Full to partial sun Soil Type: Average, well-drained Sow Depth: Surface Plant Spacing: 3 to 6 feet Germination Note: Cold stratification required Stratification Time: 60 days Bloom Time: June through September Growing Tips
Direct sow in late fall by lightly pressing the seeds into the soil's surface. For spring planting, mix seeds with moist sand and store in the refrigerator for 60 days (cold stratification) before sowing.
A Note on Cold Stratification
These seeds require cold, moist stratification. To naturally stratify the seeds, plant outdoors late fall on a weed-free site and allow seeds to overwinter.
To artificially stratify the seeds, place the seeds and a moist medium (such as a damp paper towel, coffee filter, sand, or vermiculite) in a labeled, sealed plastic bag and store in a refrigerator (33-40°F) for the amount of time noted on the growth chart before sowing.