Plantain

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Plantain
Plantago spp.
Greater plantain
Greater plantain
Scientific classification
Kingdom Plant
Division Magnoliophyta
Class Magnoliopsida
Order Lamiales
Family Plantaginaceae
Genus Plantago
Species see text


Contents

[edit] Introduction

Plantago is a genus of about 200 species of small, inconspicuous plants commonly called plantains. They share this name with the very dissimilar plantain, a kind of banana. Most are herbaceous plants, though a few are subshrubs growing to 60 centimetres (23.6 in) tall. The leaves are sessile, but have a narrow part near the stem which is a pseudo-petiole. They have three or five parallel veins that diverge in the wider part of the leaf. Leaves are broad or narrow, depending on the species. The inflorescences are borne on stalks typically 5 centimetres (2.0 in) to 40 centimetres (15.7 in) tall, and can be a short cone or a long spike, with numerous tiny wind-pollinated flowers.[1]

The more common species in North America and the British Isles include common or greater plantain (P. major) and ribwort or lance-leaf plantain (P. lanceolata). You may use the two species interchangeably both edibly and medicinally.

[edit] Description

[edit] Identification

[edit] P. major

Plantago major
Plantago major
Leaf of P. major
Leaf of P. major

This herbaceous plant has a rosette of leaves 15 centimetres (5.9 in) to 30 centimetres (11.8 in) in diameter. Each leaf has an oval shape, 5 centimetres (2.0 in) to 20 centimetres (7.9 in) long and 4 centimetres (1.6 in) to 9 centimetres (3.5 in) broad, rarely up to 30 centimetres (11.8 in) long and 17 centimetres (6.7 in) broad, with an acute apex and a smooth margin. The leaves stand out from those of other plants due to the five to nine conspicuous veins that travel parallel from the base to tip. The small, greenish-brown flowers have purple stamens and grow in a dense spike 5 centimetres (2.0 in) to 15 centimetres (5.9 in) long on top of a stem 13 centimetres (5.1 in) to 15 centimetres (5.9 in) tall (rarely to 70 centimetres (27.6 in) tall).[2]

[edit] P. lanceolata

Plantago lanceolata
Plantago lanceolata
Leaves of P. lanceolata
Leaves of P. lanceolata

P. lanceolata's growth resembles that of P. major in that the leaves form a basal rosette with the flower stalks growing from the middle. However, the lanceleaf species has much more slender leaves with a lanceolate shape (hence the specific name). You will still find the distinctive parallel veins in this species as well as the flower stalks and spikes. However, the inflorescence grows in a shorter spike about 4 centimetres (1.6 in) long. When flowering, the white stamens protrude obviously from the inflorescence, making a delicate ring of white around the flower spike.

[edit] Origin, Distribution, Habitat, Life Cycle and Phenology

Origin
Eurasia[3]
Distribution
Throughout North America and Europe[3]
Habitat
  • Grows in disturbed soils, out of cracks in sidewalks, and along the edges of your lawn.[4]
  • The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.[5]
  • It grows better than most other plants in compacted soils, and is abundant beside paths, roadsides, and other areas with frequent soil compaction. It is also common in grasslands and as a weed in crops.[2]
Life Cycle
Perennial
Phenology
[Learn more about phenology]
  • Flowers from May to September[5]
  • Seeds ripen from July to October[5]

[edit] Common Names

P. major
  • round-leaved plantain
  • common plantain
  • greater plantain
  • broadleaf plantain
P. lanceolata
  • ripple grass
  • lance-leaved plantain
  • ribwort plantain
  • English plantain
  • dog's ribs
  • hock cockle
  • buckhorn plantain
  • rub grass
  • rib grass
  • ripple grass
Both
  • snakeweed
  • cuckoo's bread
  • englishman's foot
  • white man's foot
  • dooryard plantain
  • woundweed
  • wayside plantain
  • lamb's-foot
  • hen plant
  • cart-track plant
International[6][7]
  • breitwegerich (German)[6]
  • che qian cao ("beside-the-cart-grass") (China)[6]
  • che qian zi (China)[6]
  • curl doddy (P. lanceolata) (Scotland)[6]
  • gine'biwûck (Chippewa "snake-like")[7]
  • healing blade (P. major) (Scotland)[6]
  • kuhekili (Hawai'i)[6]
  • laukahi (Hawai'i)[6]
  • llantén (Spanish)[6]
  • millet (Martinique)[6]
  • o'mûkiki'bûg (Chippewa "frog leaf")[7]
  • sat isabgol (P. ovata) (India)[6]
  • sinie makan (Omaha-Ponca)[7]
  • slan lus (Gaelic "healing plant")[6]
  • tanchagem (Portuguese)[6]
  • tha ram (Tibet)[6]
  • waybread, weybroed (Anglo-Saxon)[6]
  • white man's foot (US)[6]

[edit] Related Species

You can use the following species similarly to P. major and P. lanceolata.[6]

  • P. amplexicaulis
  • P. arenaria
  • P. asiatica
  • P. ciliata
  • P. cordata
  • P. coronopus
  • P. cynops
  • P. depressa
  • P. erosa
  • P. griesebachii
  • P. insularis
  • P. ispaghula
  • P. ispagula
  • P. lagopus
  • P. lanceolata
  • P. macrostachys
  • P. major
  • P. media
  • P. mexicana
  • P. minor
  • P. ovata
  • P. psyllium
  • P. rocae
  • P. rugelii
  • P. sericea
  • P. tomentosa
  • P. ureades

[edit] Uses

[edit] Edible Uses

Edible Parts
leaves, inflorescence, roots, seeds
Edible Uses
salad, potherb, flour, tea
Leaves
The leaves have a distinct and pleasant nutty flavor. They make a great addition to salads. The younger leaves are more palatable and delicate than the older leaves, however you can still eat the tougher older leaves. You can also steam or parboil the leaves as a potherb.
  • Note that many people dislike the fibrousness of plantain leaves. Often the age of the leaf or growing conditions will determine the palatability of the leaves.
Flower stalks
Edible raw or cooked.
Seeds
The seeds supposedly have a nutty flavor. You can parch them to include with other foods or grind them to make flour.[3]

[edit] Medicinal Uses

Medicinal Properties
astringent, antitoxic, antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, demulcent, expectorant, styptic, and diuretic[4]
Chemical Constituents
allantion, apigenin, aucubin, baicalein, linoleic acid, oleanolic acid, sorbitol, and tannin[3]
Medicinal Uses
  • A poultice of leaves can treat insect bites, bee stings, poison ivy rashes, minor sores and boils.[4]
  • A tea, tincture or syrup can treat coughs or bronchitis.[4]
  • A wash made from an infusion of the leaves helps heal sunburn, windburn, rashes, and wounds.[3]
  • Plantain has mainly been used to treat cuts, scratches and wounds. In these cases a poultice of crushed or macerated leaves is applied to the wound. The fresh leaves rubbed on the skin are supposed to relieve insect bites or stings. The Rappahannock Indians bound the bruised leaves to the body to reduce fever. The Menominee Indians heated the leaves and applied them to swellings. The Chippewas took the finely chopped roots of Asarum canadense, spread them on a plantain leaf and used it as a poultice on skin inflammations. Plantain leaves have been used as a poultice to stop rectal itch from piles. The fresh roots or leaves were boiled and applied to sore nipples for relief.[8]

[edit] Practical Uses

Plantain represents an important food plant for the caterpillars of many species of butterflies.[5]

[edit] Lore

  • See songlines.
  • The name "Plantago" means "sole of the foot."[6]
  • Many of the common names for Plantago species come from the fact that they grow well in compacted, disturbed soil such as paths, roadsides, cart tracks, etc.
  • Woden considered it sacred as one of "These nine healing herbs [that] march on 'Gainst nine ugly poisons." This legend goes on to say that Woden "then took up...nine wondrous twigs. He smote the worm [or poison] till it flew in nine bits." [9]
  • Folk legends warn that you not try to grow plantain indoors, as noted that in Manchester, England, where they call the plant "Mother-Die" because it supposedly brings about the death of the woman of the house.[9]

[edit] Galleries

[edit] P. major

P. major
leaf
flower
fruit
seeds
illustration

[edit] P. lanceolata

P. lanceolata
lanceleaf plantain
leaves
vascular bundles
flowers
illustration

[edit] Disclaimer

Disclaimer Rewild.info, its parent company Mythmedia, and Rewild.info contributors are not responsible or liable for any of the information used on this website. Practice at your own risk!

[edit] External Links

[edit] Video

[edit] References

  1. ^ Wikipedia:Plantago
  2. ^ a b Wikipedia:Plantago major
  3. ^ a b c d e http://www.prairielandherbs.com/plantain.htm
  4. ^ a b c d Jason Godesky [1]
  5. ^ a b c d http://pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Plantago+major
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r http://www.medicineatyourfeet.com/plantagomajor.html
  7. ^ a b c d http://www.unl.edu/agnicpls/gpcn/latinp/Plantagomajor.html
  8. ^ http://www.permaculture.info/index.php/Plantago_major
  9. ^ a b Liz Johnson [2]


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