Plantago coronopus
L.
Buck's-horn plantain, Star-of-the-earth, Crowfoot plantain
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Summary
Source: WikipediaPlantago coronopus, the buck's-horn plantain, is a herbaceous annual to perennial flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae. Other common names in the US and Italy include minutina and erba stella.
Description
A low hairy herb. It has a long tap root. It usually grows over 2 years. The leaves grow from the base and spread out. The leaves are highly divided. They are in a ring around the stem. The leaves are green but can turn red with age. The leaves vary in size and shape but are often 4-10 cm long. The flowers are small and occur in large numbers. They form a dense narrow spike. This is 1-8 cm long. It is in a long hairy stalk.
Edible Uses
Young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked and the plant is high yielding. This is one of the better-tasting members of the genus — the leaves are fairly tender with a slight bitterness. Some people blanch the leaves in boiling water for a few seconds before adding them to salads to improve tenderness. This leaf is one of the traditional ingredients of 'misticanze', a salad mixture of wild and cultivated leaves originating in the Marche region of Italy.
Traditional Uses
The very young shoots are used in tossed salads. They are blanched for a few seconds in boiling water. They are also used in stews.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
The leaves are antiperiodic and ophthalmic, used as a remedy for ague and sore eyes. Plantain seeds contain up to 30% mucilage, which swells in the gut and acts as a bulk laxative while soothing irritated membranes; sometimes the husks are used without the seeds.
Distribution
A temperate plant. A common seaside plant. It grows in salt marshes. It grows amongst rocks above the high water mark on shorelines. It also grows on inland salty soils. It suits hardiness zones 6-10. Tasmania Herbarium.
Where It Grows
Africa, Albania, Australia, Bahrain, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, Central Asia, Croatia, Europe, Falklands, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Middle East, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Scandinavia, Sicily, Slovenia, Spain, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye,
Cultivation
Plants self seed if allowed. Young leaves are normally blanched for a few seconds in boiling water before using.
Propagation
Seed - sow in spring in a cold frame. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and plant out in early summer. A direct sowing outdoors in situ can be made in mid to late spring if sufficient seed is available.
Other Uses
Dynamic accumulator.
Production
It needs to be picked while young when there is a ring of young leaves but no flower.
Other Information
It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is sold in local markets.
Notes
The plantains or Plantaginaceae are mostly in temperate regions. There are about 165 Plantago species.
Also Known As
Bogaotu, Buckshorn Plantain, Capuchin's beard, Cornopiu, Cua de rata, Deljenolistni trpotec, Erva di stidda, Herba estreta, Herba Stella, Lingua te cane, Minuta, Minutina, Muixana, Rampetes, Rebla, Vranina noga, Wedaina
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