Plantago major

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 herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It has a short, stout rootstock. It has a ring of leaves near the ground. The leaves are ribbed. They are soft and oval shaped. The leaves narrow into the stalks. The leaf stalks are fairly long and have wings. The leaves can be 30 cm long by 15 cm wide. The leaves have 5-9 easy to see veins running along them. The flower stem is leafless and as long as or shorter than the leaves. The flowers are in a dense spike. This can be as long as or longer than its stem.

Edible Uses

Young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, though they are rather bitter and the fibrous strands need to be removed before use. The leaf-stalk is even more fibrous than the leaf and is best avoided. Many people blanch the leaves in boiling water before adding them to salads to improve tenderness. A Chinese form has more palatable leaves, with an approximate composition of 2.7% protein, 0.4% fat, and 2.2% ash. The seed can be ground into a meal and mixed with flour, or the whole seeds boiled and used like sago; they are very rich in vitamin B1, though harvesting is tedious. Dried leaves make an acceptable tea. The root is also edible, though no further details are recorded.

Traditional Uses

Young leaves are lightly cooked. Older leaves become more bitter. The leaves are used in soups. The leaves can be dipped in batter and fried over low heat. They are also used in chutney. The leaves are used for sarma in Turkey. They are rolled around a filling of rice or minced meat. The dried leaves are used for tea. The seeds are used to give a jelly like effect in drinks. They can be ground into a meal for bread. The seeds yield an edible oil. The roots are eaten cooked.

Medicinal Uses

Common plantain is a safe and effective treatment for bleeding, quickly stanching blood flow and supporting tissue repair. The leaves are astringent, demulcent, deobstruent, depurative, diuretic, expectorant, haemostatic, and refrigerant. Internally they are used for diarrhoea, gastritis, peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, haemorrhage, haemorrhoids, cystitis, bronchitis, catarrh, sinusitis, asthma, and hay fever. Externally they are applied to skin inflammations, malignant ulcers, cuts, and stings. Heated leaves are used as a wet dressing for wounds and swellings. The root, used in equal portions with Marrubium vulgare, is a traditional remedy for rattlesnake bite. The seeds are used to treat parasitic worms. Seeds contain up to 30% mucilage, which swells in the gut and acts as a bulk laxative while soothing irritated membranes; the husks alone are sometimes used without the seeds. A distilled water made from the plant serves as an excellent eye lotion.

Known Hazards

High doses may cause a fall in blood pressure and diarrhoea. Possible allergic contact dermatitis. Avoid in patients with intestinal obstruction or abdominal discomfort.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows in damp places. It grows in wetlands. It grows mostly in cool places. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level. Tasmania Herbarium. In Yunnan. In Sichuan.

Where It Grows

Africa, Alaska, Albania, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Belarus, Bosnia, Brazil, Britain, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Canada, Caucasus, Central America, Central Asia, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Denmark, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Easter Island, East Timor, Ecuador, Estonia, Eswatini, Europe*, Falklands, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Italy, Haiti, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lesotho, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, NW India, Norway, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Peru, Poland, Puerto Rico, Russia, Sao Tome and Principe, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Sicily, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, St Helena, St Lucia, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Tibet, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, West Indies, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Succeeds in any moderately fertile soil in a sunny position. Although this species is a common garden weed, some named forms have been selected for their ornamental value. Plantago major is self-fertile. The leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season, but the best time is from spring to early summer. Plantago major typically flowers from late spring to summer, around May to July (Northern Hemisphere). Common plantain is a fast-growing plant that often establishes itself quickly in disturbed areas and thrives in various soil conditions.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring in a cold frame. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and plant out in early summer. If seed is plentiful, a direct outdoor sowing can be made in situ from mid to late spring.

Other Uses

Plantago major works well as a ground cover, helping to prevent soil erosion and suppress weeds, while also providing habitat and food for beneficial insects. Some named forms have been selected for ornamental value. It is an important food plant for the caterpillars of many butterfly species, and its seeds can serve as food for birds. The flowers can attract some pollinators, though they are not a primary nectar source. Leaf litter and foliage provide habitat for invertebrates. The leaves have a distinct aroma that may help deter some pests. It is a dynamic accumulator and is suitable for food forest and wildlife garden settings. The plant is also suitable for dried flower arrangements.

Other Information

It is sold in local markets. It is cultivated.

Notes

Leaves reported to contain a small amount of Vitamin C. The plantains or Plantaginaceae are mostly in temperate regions. There are about 165 Plantago species.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Ah-gwaw-paung-ta-htaung, Akyaw-baung-tha-thaung, Babka, Baga, Bag yapragi, Balazagva, Bar preme, Belgheviz, Bolila ba lipoli, Brede weegbree, Broad-leafed plantain, Bud-gull, Centunervi, Che qian, Cheuli, Damarliot, Damar otu, Daun sejumbok, Daun sendok, Ekur anjing, Ezan lezu, Ghuzbe, Groblad, Gul, Isabgol, Isafghol, Karet, Kel-ba-an, Kesikotu, Ki arut, Kirksinirotu, Kolocier, Kolosija, Kopakopa, Kutu kiyanchi remedyu tape, Lengue pechere, Lessan-imthaur, Llanten, Llanten mayor, Luhuriya, Ma de, Mravaldzargva, Nido marto, Ominwas, Orecchie d'asino, Padaroznik, Pampina larga, Pel hewes, Pelonbas, Plantatge ample, Plantain, Planten, Podorozhnik, Pulung nyang, Rat's-tail plantain, Sangka-buwah, Sangkubah, Se-gyaw-paung-ta-htaung, Se-kyaw-gyi, Sepodi, Sinirliot, Sinirotu, Teeleht, Tharam, Tirafilo, Torraja cimarrona, Torreja cimarrona, Veliki trpotec, Wa gui, Warmi llanten, Yara otu, Yawar llanten, Yempat, Zenska bokvica

References (134)

• Alimenticias - FloraSBS
• Al-Fatimi, M. A., Wild Edible Plants Traditionally Collected and Used in Southern Yemen. Research Square. University of Aden. p 22
• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 467
• Arora, R. K., 2014, Diversity in Underutilized Plant Species - An Asia-Pacific Perspective. Bioversity International. p 44
• Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994)

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