Plantago leiopetala is a herbaceous perennial, caulescent with a thick woody, white pupescent stem up to 6 cm in height, bearing the bases of old petioles and scapes. Lanceolate, glabrous or glabrescent leaves up to 21 cm in length, borne in rosette at end of stem. Spikes, 1–3 cm, supported by scapes, 30 cm in length. Flowers with generally glabrous sepals, sometimes shortly villous above, corolla-lobes 2.1–3 mm. Flowers from March to July.