Type of subsp: Afghanistan, Griffith, 1611 (4153) (K).

Distribution: Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Pamir Alaj, Mountains of Western Himalayas and Tibet.

A. Patzak and K.H. Rechinger (Fl. Iran. 15: 10. 1965) do not agree with the many varieties described by Pilger (l.c) and consider that Plantago gentianoides has two subspecies, viz. subspecies gentianoides and subspecies griffithii with different geographical distributions. Subsp. gentianoides (syn. var. eugentianoides Pilger) represents the western area of distribution of the species up to the western parts of Turkey, while subsp. griffithii has its distribution from central Iran eastwards.

Subsp. gentianoides is distinguished from subsp. griffithii, by having tender leaves, which are shortly attenuated at their bases and apices, and having shorter and denser spikes. On the countrary subsp. griffithii has coriaceous, more pointed leaves which are gradually narrowed at the apices and at the bases into short petioles. The spikes are longer and lax.