Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) is a perennial herb that performs well in a range of pastures. This
well-known plant has been developed into a vigorous and erect growing winter active pasture cultivar.
Plantain is highly palatable to animals, establishes rapidly, is pest tolerant and has a high mineral content.
Plantain demonstrates a high tolerance to summer heat and in warmer regions can provide valuable
growth during summer. Plantain can be used as a pure sward or as a combination in pasture mixtures, especially in dryland or warmer regions. In pasture situations plantain rarely exceeds 20% of the pasture, although it can reach more than 50% in dry summers because of its drought tolerance.
Plantain can be mixed with red and white clovers (subclovers in the autumn) with the addition of chicory
to finish lambs and bulls, or combined with multiple graze brassicas and clovers for lamb finishing.
Plantain DM yields vary greatly between seasons and are heavily influenced by summer rainfall. In wet
seasons yields of 11 – 15 t DM/ha are possible, but in dry seasons yields of 6 – 9 t DM/ha are more realistic. Tuatara is a fast-establishing species, productive and persistent over a broad range of soils and climatic conditions, particularly less fertile soils and dryland regions.