Great Indian Plantain

Arnoglossum muehlenbergii of H. Robinson, Cacalia muhlenbergii of Fernald, and Mesadenia muhlenbergii of Rydberg were based on Senecio muehlenbergii Schultz-Bipontinus, a superfluous name based on Cacalia reniformis Muhlenberg ex Willdenow.

Plants 100–300 cm. Stems ridged to angulate (usually glabrous, rarely sparsely puberulent distally, not glaucous). Basal leaves: (petioles to 30 cm) blades (with 3–5 main veins) reniform or ovate-cordate, to 40+ cm, margins lobed or dentate. Cauline leaves: proximal petiolate, blades ovate, margins entire, serrate, or dentate; distal petiolate or sessile, smaller (rarely hairy). Involucres (8–)10–13(–14) mm. Phyllaries pale green, narrowly ovate, midveins not winged (tips obtuse). Corollas white or greenish, 8–9(–10.5) mm. Cypselae fusiform or clavate, 4–5 mm (dark brown or purple, 4–5-ribbed); pappi 6–8 mm. 2n = 50.

Senecio atriplicifolius (Linnaeus) Hooker var. reniformis Hooker, Fl. Bor.-Amer. 1: 332. 1834, based on Cacalia reniformis Muhlenberg ex Willdenow, Sp. Pl. 3: 1735. 1803, not Lamarck 1778; Conophora reniformis (Hooker) Nieuwland; Mesadenia reniformis (Hooker) Rafinesque; S. reniformis (Hooker) MacMillan

Arnoglossum reniforme, the great Indian plantain, is a North American species of plants in the sunflower family. It is native to the central and east-central United States primarily in the Appalachian Mountains, the Ohio/Tennessee Valley, and the Mississippi Valley. There are additional populations in the east (New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, South Carolina) and farther west in Oklahoma.

Arnoglossum reniforme is a large plant growing up to 300 cm (120 inches or 10 feet) tall. Flower heads are small but numerous, usually white or pale green. The species grows in open, wooded areas.

Arnoglossum reniforme seeds