Ribwort plantain  (Plantago lanceolata)

This native plant is widespread and common throughout Britain (3). Pollen analysis has shown that the plant spread as Neolithic farming increased and the extent of the wild forest decreased (6). Ribwort plantain also occurs in much of Europe, except the far north, North Africa, and north and central Asia. It has been introduced to many other temperate countries (2).

Occurs in a great variety of habitats, including meadows, pastures, upland grasslands, roadsides and river banks, sand dunes, cliffs, waste ground, on cultivated land, lawns and on walls (3).