Species of Plantago exhibit great deal of differences in the breeding syste
m. The reproductive effort calculated on the basis of, (i) dry biomass of f
oliar and floral parts and (ii) seed output-weight (mg) per unit leaf area
(cm(2)), exhibits relation with breeding system. The predominantly inbreedi
ng taxa invest higher reproductive effort compared to their outbreeding all
ies. In terms of sex allocation strategies, the outbreeding species like P.
lanceolata, P. lagopus invest more to the development of floral features a
nd to mate functions. On the contrary, inbreeding species such as P. patago
nica, P. drummondii, and P. ovata invest greater resources to the female fu
nction.