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Plantago major subsp. intermedia

(Gilib.) Lange

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Plantago major, the broadleaf plantain, white man's footprint, waybread, or greater plantain, is a species of flowering plant in the plantain family Plantaginaceae. The plant is native to Eurasia. The young, tender leaves can be eaten raw, and the older, stringier leaves can be boiled in stews and eaten.

Description

A temperate herb of the Plantaginaceae family.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

The leaves are eaten raw with stuffing.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are eaten raw with stuffing.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The mature plant contains pliable and tough fibres that can be used in survival situations to make small cords, fishing line, sutures, or braiding. Some cultivars are planted as ornamentals in gardens, including 'Rubrifolia' with purple leaves, and 'Variegata' with variegated leaves. The leaves are edible as a salad green when young and tender, but they quickly become tough and fibrous as they get older. The older leaves can be cooked in stews. The seeds are so small that they are tedious to gather, but they can be ground into a flour substitute or extender. Plantain contains phytochemicals including allantoin, aucubin, ursolic acid, flavonoids, and asperuloside. Plantain extract has been studied for its potential health effects. Plantain leaves were used commonly in folk medicine for skin poultices on wounds, sores, or insect stings. The root was used for fever and respiratory infections.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

Slovenia, Turkey, Türkiye,

Synonyms

Plantago intermedia Gilib.Plantago major subsp. pleiosperma Pilg.

Also Known As

Baga yapragi, Belhavis, Yedidamarotu

References (3)

  • Cakir, E. A., 2017, Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants of Iğdır Province (East Anatolia, Turkey). Acta Soc Bot Pol. 2017;86(4):3568
  • Ertug, F, Yenen Bitkiler. Resimli Türkiye Florası -I- Flora of Turkey - Ethnobotany supplement
  • http://www.botanic-gardens-ljubljana.com/en/plants

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