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Plantaginaceae

Plantaginaceae

9.9
A family of small flowering plants like plantains and other common weeds
  • noun
  • /plænˌtædʒɪˈneɪʃiˌi/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Plantaginaceae
  • Botanists have recently reclassified certain genera into the Plantaginaceae based on genetic studies.

Examples

  • The Plantaginaceae family includes several species commonly found in lawns and fields.

  • Many weeds in the Plantaginaceae are hardy and spread rapidly in disturbed soils.

  • The Plantaginaceae family includes various species of herbs.

  • Many Plantaginaceae are considered weeds in gardens.

  • Many weeds in the Plantaginaceae family are hardy and spread rapidly in disturbed soils.

  • The Plantaginaceae family includes several species commonly found in lawns and fields.

  • Many Plantaginaceae are considered weeds in gardens due to their fast growth.

Synonyms

plantain family
vsPlantaginaceae
6.8

A group of mostly small plants and a few shrubs, often including common lawn weeds

is the scientific name for that same plant family
Plantaginales
vsPlantaginaceae
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of flowering plants like plantains and their relatives

is a narrower family grouping more specific than an order

Surface Forms

Morphology

Plantaginaceae = plantain (opaque) = Plantagin + aceae

The suffix '-aceae' is a standard botanical suffix indicating a family, but 'Plantagin' is not a recognizable English word.

Etymology

Plantaginaceae comes from the plant name Plantago, English 'plantain', and the ending -aceae, which names plant families. Plantago comes from a Latin word meaning 'sole' because the leaves are flat like the bottom of a foot. So Plantaginaceae means the 'plantain family', which fits because it groups the small herbs and common weeds called plantains.