Plantago is a genus of small, inconspicuous plants commonly called plantains. They share this name with the very dissimilar plantain, a kind of banana. Leaves are sessile, but have a narrow part near the stem which is a pseudo-petiole. They have three or five parallel veins that diverge in the wider part of the leaf. Leaves are broad or narrow, depending on the species. Inflorescences are borne on stalks and can be a short cone or a long spike. The plants are typically 5-40 cm tall.