"Annual to perennial herb, generally scapose. Stem: decumbent to erect. Leaf: generally basal, veins generally ± parallel. Inflorescence: spike, generally dense; flowers few to many, cleistogamous or opening (both). Flower: generally bisexual; calyx deeply 4-lobed, lobes generally overlapped, persistent, margin generally scarious; corolla radial or bilateral, salverform or cylindric, scarious, persistent in fruit, colorless except for lobe midribs or not, lobes 4, spreading to erect; stamens generally 4; ovules several per chamber, stigma long, hairy. Fruit: circumscissile ± at or proximal to middle. Seed: 2–many, gelatinous when wetted. ± 250 species: worldwide, especially temperate; some weedy, some (especially Plantago afra L., psyllium) cultivated for laxative. (Latin: sole of foot) [Meyers & Liston 2008 Int J Plant Sci 169:954–962] Plantago sempervirens Crantz, Plantago heterophylla Nutt., reported but not documented, possibly naturalized in California.
Unabridged note: 2 species reported but not documented for California: Plantago sempervirens Crantz, native to southern Europe, Turkey, differs from Plantago arenaria in, e.g., habit (dwarf shrub vs annual), corolla tube (4–5 vs 3.5–4 mm), fruit (4–5 vs ± 2 mm); Plantago heterophylla Nutt., native to southeastern North America, differs from Plantago elongata in, e.g., seed number, size [10–25(30), 0.5–0.8 mm vs (3)4–9(12), 1.5–2.5 mm], corolla lobe orientation (generally spreading vs generally 1 erect, 3 spreading or reflexed)." [Jepson]
Hazards
Though plantain is a soothing skin herb for most people, some individuals have been known to be allergic to it. Use normal precautions, as when working with any new substance.
Individuals with bowel disorders should consult a physician before using whole psyllium seed as a laxative. Goosetongue and arrow grass share a seaside habitat and are sometimes mistaken for one another. Read the Arrow Grass section (Triglochin maritimum) before harvesting. Arrow grass does have an edible portion, but its green leaves contain cyanide!
Occupational exposure to Plantago species has resulted in sensitization, with symptoms ranging from rhinitis and lacrimation to more severe respiratory compromise. This problem arises in a more serious form among the personnel of pharmaceutical factories processing psyllium (SEDA-16, 426), and eosinophilia has also been recorded. The allergen appears to reside in the endosperm or embryonic seed components and not in the husk, which is the laxative component; in principle, therefore, it should be feasible to supply a non-antigenic form of purified psyllium husk (SEDA-17, 423).Ingestion of psyllium has been associated with rare cases of generalized urticarial rash and anaphylactic shock (6,7). [SEHM]
Lookalikes
"Foragers should be aware that Triglochin maritimum, which shares the same range and habitat as goosetongue, could cause identification difficulties." [Schofield]
Medicinal Uses
Plant
Anticancer
"Seeds of psyllium and other Plantago species as well as their roots, juice, leaves, and whole herbs have been reported to be used in treating cancer.[33" [Leung ENCI]
Seeds
"Plantain seeds (sold commercially as Psyllium), absorb eight to fourteen times their volume in water. The whole seeds can be soaked overnight and drunk in the morning to relieve constipation. ...powdered psyllium is used during fasting (together with bentonite) to provide some bulk in the stomach and reduce hunger. The powdered product lacks the laxative effects of the whole seeds; with this system of fasting, a daily enema is required." [Leung ENCI]
"In China both the seeds and whole herbs of related Plantago species (e.g., P. asiatica L. and P. depressa Willd.) are used for similar purposes. In addition, the seeds are used to treat hematuria (bloody urine), coughing, high blood pressure (with ca. 50% success in clinical trials), and other ailments. The seeds used in Chinese medicine are often specially treated by frying with saltwater before drying; these cannot be directly compared with the psyllium seeds used in the United States (FARNSWORTH 1–4; JIANGSU; NANJING)." [Leung ENCI]
Laxative
P. maritima; P. coronopus; P. lanceolata, P. major; "Plantain seeds contain up to 30% mucilage which swells up in the gut, acting as a bulk laxative and soothing irritated membranes[238]. Sometimes the seed husks are used without the seeds[238]" [PFAF]
Leaves
"Fresh plantain leaves are considered most effective and are recommended for use whenever possible. For off-season use, prepare a supply of plantain salve and plantain tincture. Plantain leaf has a short storage life and should be used within three to six months." [Leung ENCI]
Topical Use: "Fresh leaves of Plantago species applied topically for poison ivy, insect bites and stings; an uncontrolled study reported that use of the fresh leaves prevented itching and spread of dermatitis in poison ivy-induced dermatitis.[32]" [Leung ENCI]
Nutritional Composition of Plantago Sp.
[NCP]
[NCP]
[NCP]
[NCP]
Uses of Various Plantago Sp.
Plantago media L. Plantain. Smith 9323. The leaves heal old sores. They chop the leaves as fine as they can get them for a poultice. [Native of Eurasia.] (A190)[HuronSmith Hocak]
Cultivation
Dynamic Accumulator for compostPlantago Sp.: Si, S, Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe .[Dynamic Accumulators-unknown source]
[NCP] J.L. Guil-Guerrero (2001) Nutritional composition of Plantago species (P. Major L., P. Lanceolata L., and P. Media L.), Ecology of Food and Nutrition, 40:5, 481-495, DOI: 10.1080/03670244.2001.9991663
Plantago coronopus - buck's-horn plantain
"Plantago coronopus is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in).
It is hardy to zone (UK) 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to July, and the seeds ripen from Jul to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Wind.The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure." [PFAF]
Origin Status: Exotic [E-flora] General: "Annual or biennial herb from a taproot; stems erect, several, simple, coarsely hairy, 5-30 cm tall." [IFBC-E-flora] Leaves: "Basal leaves narrowly lanceolate, pinnately lobed or deeply dissected, 4-15 cm long, tapered to the base, the lobes ascending, sharp-pointed; stem leaves lacking." [IFBC-E-flora] Flowers: "Inflorescence of dense bracteate spikes, the spikes elongate, 2-22 cm long; corollas green-brown, 4-lobed, 3 lobes about 1 mm long, spreading and 1 erect, all narrowly egg-shaped; bracts equal to or twice as long as the sepals, round at the base, long pointed at the tips; stamens conspicuous." [IFBC-E-flora] Fruits: "Capsules, broadly egg-shaped, 2-3 mm long; seeds usually 3, the larger one about 1.5 mm long and sometimes partly winged, the smaller ones less than 1 mm long." [IFBC-E-flora]
Habitat / Range "Moist gravelly or sandy coastal sites in the lowland zone; rare on SE Vancouver Island; introduced from Eurasia." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Sandy or gravelly soils and cracks in rocks, in sunny places in dry soils usually near the sea[4, 17]. Coasts of west and south Europe, including Britain, south and east from Sweden to N. Africa, W. Asia" [PFAF]
Edible Uses
Leaves
"Young leaves - raw or cooked[2, 13, 132, 183]. High yielding[27]. One of the nicer tasting members of this genus, the leaves are fairly tender and have a slight bitterness[K]. Some people blanch the leaves in boiling water for a few seconds before using them in salads in order to make them more tender[183]. This leaf is one of the ingredients of 'misticanze', a salad mixture of wild and cultivated leaves that originated in the Marche region of Italy[183]." [PFAF]
Medicinal Uses
Leaves
"The leaves are antiperiodic and ophthalmic. They are used as a remedy for ague and sore eyes[4]." [PFAF]
Laxative
"Plantain seeds contain up to 30% mucilage which swells up in the gut, acting as a bulk laxative and soothing irritated membranes[238]. Sometimes the seed husks are used without the seeds[238]." [PFAF]
Propogation
"Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer. A sowing can be made outdoors in situ in mid to late spring if you have enough seeds." [PFAF]
Cultivation
"Succeeds in any moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[200]. A polymorphic species[132]. This plant has sometimes been cultivated for its edible leaves[2, 52]. An important food plant for many caterpillars[30]." [PFAF]
"General: Annual herb from a well-developed taproot; stems erect, numerous, simple, rough-hairy or sometimes smooth, often woolly at the base, 3-20 cm tall." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Leaves: Basal leaves linear, tapering towards the base, smooth or sparsely hairy, 2-10 cm long, 0.3-1.5 mm wide, entire; stem leaves lacking." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Flowers: Inflorescence of dense bracteate spikes, the spikes elongate, 1-10 cm long, smooth; corollas green, 4-lobed, the lobes less than 1 mm long, erect to reflexed, some plants with nonfunctioning stamens while others with reduced or nonfunctioning pistils; bracts broadly egg-shaped, spurred, equal to the sepals, 2 mm long." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Fruits: Capsules, egg-shaped, 2-3 mm long; seeds 4, or sometimes 5 or 6, elliptic-oblong, 1.3-2 mm long, pitted at maturity." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Notes: Specimens of P. bigelovii and P. elongata annotated and cited in Bassett (1973) were not readily distinguishable in the herbaria studied. This was also noted by Cronquist (1984)." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Habitat / Range Moist to dry coastal shores and bluffs in the lowland zone, also in alkaline sites inland in the steppe zone; locally frequent on SE Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and adjacent coast, rare in SC BC; E to MB and S to TX, CO, NV and CA." [IFBC-E-flora]
Plantago lanceolata var. sphaerostachya Mert. & W.D.J. Koch [E-flora]
Origin Status: Exotic [E-flora] General: Perennial herb from a short, stout, erect stem-base and taproot with secondary fibrous roots, the stem-base somewhat brown woolly-hairy; stems erect, few, simple, finely grooved, short stiff-hairy, 15-45 (60) cm tall.[IFBC-E-flora] Leaves: Basal leaves lanceolate to oblanceolate or narrowly elliptic, smooth to long-hairy, 3- to several-veined, 10-35 cm long, 1-4 cm wide, stalked, entire; stem leaves lacking.[IFBC-E-flora] Flowers: Inflorescence of dense bracteate spikes, the spikes more or less egg-shaped, becoming cylindric, 1.5-8 cm long, almost 1 cm thick; corollas greenish, 4-lobed, the lobes 2-2.5 mm long, spreading or reflexed; bracts widely egg-shaped, more or less equal to the sepals, thin, pointed; sepals next to the bract united; stamens conspicuous, yellow.[IFBC-E-flora]
The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Wind, flies, beetles. The plant is self-fertile. [PFAF] Fruits: Capsules, narrowly egg-shaped, 3-4 mm long; seeds 2, rarely 1, ellipsoid, shining, blackish, minutely roughened, 2-3 mm long, deeply concave.[IFBC-E-flora]
Habitat: Mesic to dry lawns, fields and waste places in the lowland, steppe and montane zones. [IFBC-E-flora]
"Grassland, roadsides etc, a common weed of lawns and cultivated ground, on neutral and basic soils[9, 17]." [PFAF] Range: "common in SW BC, infrequent N along the coast and E in BC; introduced from Eurasia. [IFBC-E-flora]
"Europe, including Britain, from Iceland south and east to Spain, northern and central Asia." [PFAF]
Edible Uses
Young Leaves: "Young leaves - raw or cooked[12, 46, 61]. They are rather bitter and very tedious to prepare, the fibrous strands are best removed prior to eating[9, 183]. The very young leaves are somewhat better and are less fibrous[K]." [PFAF]
Seeds: "Seed - cooked. Used like sago[177, 183]. The seed can be ground into a powder and added to flours when making bread, cakes, etc."[PFAF]
Other Uses
Fabric Stiffener: "A mucilage from the seed coats is used as a fabric stiffener[4]. It is obtained by macerating the seed in hot water[100, 115]."[PFAF]
Fibre: "A good fibre is obtained from the leaves[4], it is said to be suitable for textiles[115]."[PFAF]
Dyes: "Gold and brown dyes are obtained from the whole plant[168]."[PFAF]
Medicinal Uses
Aerial Parts:
Indications: Common cold, Cough/bronchitis, Fevers and colds, Inflammation of the mouth and pharynx, Inflammation of the skin [PDR]
Folk Use: In folk medicine, the pressed juice of English Plantain is used internally for conditions of the respiratory tract, cystitis, enuresis, liver disease, stomach cramps, diarrhea and as a diuretic.[PDR]
Externally the plant is used for wounds, furuncles, conjunctivitis and as a hemostyptic.[PDR]
Harvesting: The medicinal parts are the dried leaves, the dried herb and the fresh plant. English Plantain herb consists of the fresh or dried above-ground parts of Plantago lanceolata, harvested at flowering season (May to September) and dried quickly at 40 to 50° C.[PDR]
Preparation: To make an infusion, pour boiling water over 2 to 4 gm cut drug (or put in cold water brought to a boil) and strain after 10 minutes (1 teaspoonful = approximately 0.7 gm drug).
Daily Dosage: The average daily dose is 3 to 6 gm of herb. Tea—1 cup of freshly made tea to be drunk several times a day.[PDR]
Leaves: "The leaves contain mucilage, tannin and silic acid[244]. An extract of them has antibacterial properties[240]. They have a bitter flavour and are astringent, demulcent, mildly expectorant, haemostatic and ophthalmic[9, 13, 21, 145, 165, 222, 244, 254]." [PFAF]
"Internally, they are used in the treatment of a wide range of complaints including diarrhoea, gastritis, peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, haemorrhage, haemorrhoids, cystitis, bronchitis, catarrh, sinusitis, asthma and hay fever[238, 254]." [PFAF]
External Use: "They are used externally in treating skin inflammations, malignant ulcers, cuts, stings etc[4]. The heated leaves are used as a wet dressing for wounds, swellings etc[213, 222]. The root is a remedy for the bite of rattlesnakes, it is used in equal portions with Marrubium vulgare[207]." [PFAF]
Stings: User Comment; "Ribwort is the best first aid remedy I know of for bee and wasp stings. Pick a leaf or two, crush or chew, and rub on the sting site until it stops hurting. Usually the pain will not return, and you will only notice an itching after a few days as it heals. This also helps relieve the itching of mosquito bites."[PFAF]
Poultice: "Ribwort/common plantain is a safe and effective treatment for bleeding, it quickly staunches blood flow and encourages the repair of damaged tissue[254]."[PFAF]
Eye lotion: "A distilled water made from the plant makes an excellent eye lotion[7]."[PFAF]
Pharmacology
"Liquid extract and the pressed juice of fresh Plantain herb have a proven bactericidal effect. The aucubigenin (hydrolised acubin) and an antimicrobial saponin are believed to be responsible for the antibacterial effect. In addition, acceleration of blood clotting has been demonstrated and a possible epithelization effect has been mentioned." [PDR]
Phytochemicals
[Leaves,Herb,Plant]
Iridoide monoterpenes (2-3%): chief components are aucubin (rhinantin) and catalpol as well as asperuloside [PDR]
Allelochemicals of P. lanceolata have an active role in a suppression effect on soil N mineralization. [IEPL]
Cultivation
"Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure." [PFAF]
"Succeeds in any moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[200]. Plants also succeed in very poor land[4]. An important food plant for the caterpillars of many species of butterflies[30]."[PFAF]
"Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer. A sowing can be made outdoors in situ in mid to late spring if you have enough seeds."[PFAF]
[IEPL] Inhibitory effects of Plantago lanceolata L. on soil N mineralization, Marko Dietz , Susanne Machill, Herbert C. Hoffmann and Knut Schmidtke, Plant and Soil, 07/2013, Volume 368, Issue 1
"General: Perennial herb from a stout taproot; stems erect, numerous, simple, hollow, smooth or sometimes hairy above when young, 25-45 (60) cm tall." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Leaves: Basal leaves lanceolate to oblanceolate, smooth, several-veined, 10-45 cm long, 1-3.5 cm wide, narrowed at the base to the distinct stalks, entire; stem leaves lacking." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Flowers: Inflorescence of short, dense, bracteate spikes, the spikes short at first then elongate, 5-15 cm long; corollas greenish to brownish, 4-lobed, the lobes 1.5-2 mm long, spreading; bracts shorter than the flowers; stamens conspicuous." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Fruits: Capsules, egg-shaped, 5-7 mm long; seeds 1-2, black, slightly concave, roughened." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Habitat / Range Moist to wet meadows, beaches, upper tidal marshes, shorelines and bogs in the lowland zone; infrequent along the coast in BC; amphiberingian, N to S AK and S to OR, E Asia." [IFBC-E-flora]
Origin Status: Native [E-flora]
Food Uses
Young Leaves
Young, tender leaves used raw in salads or cooked as spinach. [UMD-Eth-2]
(1)Bank, II, Theodore P. 1953 Botanical and Ethnobotanical Studies in the Aleutian Islands II. Health and Medical Lore of the Aleuts. Botanical and Ethnobotanical Studies Papers, Michigan Academy of Science, Arts and Letters (p. 428)
(2)Heller, Christine A. 1953 Edible and Poisonous Plants of Alaska. University of Alaska (p. 43)
Other Names: Seaside Plantain, Goose-tongue. [PCBC] Alaska Plantain; Common Plantain. [E-flora] California goose tongue [PFAF]
Description
"Plantago maritima is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in)."
"It is hardy to zone (UK) 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Jun to August, and the seeds ripen from Aug to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Wind. The plant is self-fertile."
"It is noted for attracting wildlife."
"Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils."
"It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure." [PFAF]
Subtaxa present in B.C.
Plantago maritima ssp. juncoides. [E-flora]
General: "Perennial (rarely annual) herb from a sometimes woolly, short-branched crown and a taproot; stems ascending to erect, several, simple or rarely short branched, smooth or spreading-hairy, 5-25 cm tall." [IFBC-E-flora]
Leaves: "Basal leaves lanceolate or more often linear, 12-22 cm long, tapering gradually into the winged stalks, entire or irregularly short-toothed, smooth or slightly hairy, 3- to 5 (7)-veined; stem leaves lacking." [IFBC-E-flora]
Flowers: "Inflorescence of dense or lax, bracteate spikes, 2-10 cm long; corollas greenish, hairy outside, 4-lobed, the lobes 1-1.5 mm long, spreading; bracts broadly egg-shaped, shorter than the flowers, minutely fringed; stamens conspicuous." [IFBC-E-flora]
Fruits: "Capsules, egg-shaped to broadly conic, 3-4 mm long; seeds 2-4, ellipsoid, about 2 mm long, brown or black, flat on the inner surface."[IFBC-E-flora]
Origin Status: Native [E-flora]
Habitat: Salt marshes and coastal beaches in the lowland zone.[IFBC-E-flora] Short turf in salt marshes near the sea and by streams in mountains, usually in saline or wet soils[17]. [PFAF]
Range: "Common along the coast, rare inland in NW BC (Mess Lake Mineral Springs); coastal N America and S America." [IFBC-E-flora] "Western Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain, Hungary and Russia."[PFAF]
Edible Uses
Aerial parts traded by a small southern-Swedish foraging enterprise, which is also the main provider of wild food plants at the restaurant NOMA, in Copenhagen. [Tardio MWEP]
Young Leaves: Salty-flavored leaves of P. maritima and P. macrocarpa were eaten. Harvested in early summer, the tender young leaves are eaten raw or boiled as greens. Often mixed with marine mammal or fish grease, and today, are jarred for winter use.[Turner, Kuhnlein] "Young leaves - raw or cooked[2, 61, 105, 183]. A delicious flavour[172]. This is one of the nicer-tasting members of the genus, the leaves are fairly low in fibres and make an acceptable addition to a mixed salad[K]. The leaves are canned for winter use in Alaska[183]."[PFAF] Acadians eat Plantago maritima (seaside plantain) [SER TMR]
Seed: "Seed - raw or cooked. The seed can be ground into a powder and used as a flour extender[172]. The seed is very small and tedious to harvest[172]."[PFAF]
Medicinal Uses
External Use:P. maritima is "A wound herb, according to Gerard, “such an excellent wound herbe, that it presently closeth or shutteth up a wound, though it be very great and large”." [DPL Watts] "Though Plantago coronopus has shared in the Isle of Man2 the reputation of the genus more generally for staunching cuts and wounds, as P. maritima Linnaeus has in Cork,3..." [MPFT]
Laxative: "Plantain seeds contain up to 30% mucilage which swells up in the gut, acting as a bulk laxative and soothing irritated membranes[238]. Sometimes the seed husks are used without the seeds[238]." [PFAF]
Cultivation
Cultivation: "Succeeds in any moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[200]. An important food plant for the caterpillars of many species of butterflies[30]."[PFAF]
Propagation: "Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer. A sowing can be made outdoors in situ in mid to late spring if you have enough seeds."[PFAF]
"Many salt-resistant plants belong to the Chenodopodiaceae, Juncaceae or Cyperaceae, and thus to nonmycorrhizal plant families. On the other hand, the sea plantains (Plantago maritima, P. coronopus) are mycorrhizal, and in the case of the salt aster, Aster tripolium, almost every root shows a fungal structure (Landwehr et al. 2002)." [SoilBio-19]
[NCP] 
[NCP]
[NCP]
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