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Plantago major

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Plantago major, the greater plantain, is a species of flowering plant in the plantain family Plantaginaceae. It is native to Eurasia and temperate Africa, and widely naturalised elsewhere.[2][3]

Plantago major
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Plantaginaceae
Genus: Plantago
Species:
P. major
Binomial name
Plantago major

Greater plantain is not closely related to the fruit also known as plantain, which is a type of banana.

Description

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Plantago major is a herbaceous, perennial plant with a rosette of leaves 15–30 centimetres (6–12 inches), exceptionally 70 centimetres (28 inches),[4] in diameter.[5][6] Each leaf is oval-shaped, 3–18 cm (1–7 in) long and 2–11 cm (3⁄4–4+1⁄4 in) broad, rarely up to 30 cm (12 in) long and 21 cm (8 in) broad, with an acute apex, a smooth margin, and a distinct petiole almost as long as the leaf itself.[7] There are three to seven (rarely nine) conspicuous veins over the length of the leaf.[7][8] The flowers are small, greenish-brown with purple stamens, produced in a dense spike 1–20 cm (0–8 in) (rarely to 40 cm (16 in)) long on top of a stem 2–18 cm (1–7 in) (rarely to 70 cm (28 in)) tall; flowering is from May to October in the Northern Hemisphere.[7][5][6]

Greater plantain is wind-pollinated and propagates primarily by seeds, which are held on the long, narrow spikes which rise well above the foliage.[6][9] Each plant can produce up to 20,000 seeds, which are very small and oval-shaped, with a bitter taste.[10]

Taxonomy

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There are three subspecies:[2][11]

  • Plantago major subsp. major. Occurs throughout the range of the species.[12]
  • Plantago major subsp. intermedia (Gilib.) Lange. Occurs in Europe, northwest Africa, and northern Asia, but its distribution is not well studied; it grows in wetter habitats, including saline locations such as saltmarshes and beside salted roads.[13][14] It differs in having finely hairy, narrower, 3–5-veined leaves.[6]
  • Plantago major subsp. winteri (Wirtg.) W.Ludw. Occurs in central & northeastern Europe.[15]

Distribution and habitat

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Greater plantain is native to almost all of Europe (Iceland excepted), northern and central Asia, and northern and southern Africa.[2][11][5] and has become widely naturalised elsewhere in the world.[2][16]

The ability of greater plantain to survive frequent trampling and colonise compacted soils makes it important for soil rehabilitation. Its roots break up hardpan surfaces, while simultaneously holding together the soil to prevent erosion.[17] The seeds are a common contaminant in cereal grain and other crop seeds. As a result, it now has a nearly worldwide distribution.[2][16] Plantago major grows in lawns and fields, along roadsides, and in other areas that have been disturbed by humans. It does particularly well in compacted or disturbed soils, but can also occur in undisturbed grassland.[3]

Other names

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As a result of its wide occurrence, Plantago major has many vernacular names. In addition to greater plantain, other recorded vernacular names include broadleaf plantain, common plantain, broad-leaved plantain, cart track plant, dooryard plantain, greater plantago, healing blade, hen plant, lambs foot, roadweed, roundleaf plantain, snakeroot, waybread, wayside plantain, and white man's footprint.[18] Plantago major is believed to be one of the first plants to reach North America after European colonisation. Reportedly brought to the Americas by Puritan colonists, greater plantain was known among some Native American peoples by the name "white man's footprint", because it thrived in the disturbed and damaged ecosystems surrounding European settlements.[19]

Uses

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The leaves are edible and can be used to stop bleeding, soothe burns and insect bites.[20] The mature plant contains pliable and tough fibres that can be used in survival situations to make small cords, fishing line, sutures, or braiding.[21] Some cultivars are planted as ornamentals in gardens, including 'Rubrifolia' with purple leaves, and 'Variegata' with variegated leaves.[22] 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.[23] The seeds are so small that they are tedious to gather, but they can be ground into a flour substitute or extender.[24]

Plantain contains phytochemicals including allantoin, aucubin, ursolic acid, flavonoids, and asperuloside.[25][26][27] Plantain extract has been studied for its potential health effects.[10] Plantain leaves were used commonly in folk medicine for skin poultices on wounds, sores, or insect stings.[28][29] The root was used for fever and respiratory infections.[25][30]

100 g of fresh leaves provides 18.4 kcal from 2.29 g protein, 2.03 g net carbohydrates and 0.18 g fat. They are high in fibre with 3.88 g fibre per 100 g.[31]

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References

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  1. ↑ Maiz-Tome, L. (2016). "Plantago major". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016 e.T168960A1257878. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T168960A1257878.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Plants of the World Online". Plants of the World Online. 18 August 2007. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  3. 1 2 "Greater Plantain Plantago major L." PlantAtlas. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  4. ↑ Schmelzer, G.H. & Gurib-Fakim, A. (Editors), 2008. Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 11(1)- Medicinal plants 1. PROTA Foundation, Wageningen, Netherlands / Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, Netherlands / CTA, Wageningen, Netherlands. 791 pp.
  5. 1 2 3 Flora of Pakistan: Plantago major
  6. 1 2 3 4 Blamey, Marjorie; Grey-Wilson, C. (1989). The illustrated flora of Britain and northern Europe. London: Hodder & Stoughton. pp. 380–381. ISBN 0-340-40170-2.
  7. 1 2 3 "Plantago major in Flora of China @ efloras.org". eFloras.org Home. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  8. ↑ Parnell, J. and Curtis, T. 2012. Webb's An Irish Flora. Cork University Press. ISBN 978-185918-4783
  9. ↑ Sauer, Leslie Jones (1998). The Once and Future Forest. Island Press. p. 49. ISBN 978-1-55963-553-0.[verification needed]
  10. 1 2 Samuelsen, Anne Berit (July 2000). "The traditional uses, chemical constituents and biological activities of Plantago major L. A review". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 77 (1–2): 1–21. doi:10.1016/S0378-8741(00)00212-9. ISSN 0378-8741. PMC 7142308. PMID 10904143.
  11. 1 2 Flora Europaea: Plantago major
  12. ↑ "Plantago major subsp. major". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  13. ↑ "Plantago major subsp. intermedia (Gilib.) Lange". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  14. ↑ "Plantago major subsp. intermedia (Gilib.) Lange". PlantAtlas. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  15. ↑ "Plantago major subsp. winteri (Wirtg.) W.Ludw". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  16. 1 2 "Plantago major". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  17. ↑ Tilford, Gregory L.; Gladstar, Rosemary (1998). From Earth to Herbalist: An Earth-Conscious Guide to Medicinal Plants. Mountain Press. p. 163. ISBN 978-0-87842-372-9.
  18. ↑ Britton, Nathaniel Lord; Addison Brown (1913). An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Volume 3 (second ed.). Dover Publications, inc. p. 245.
  19. ↑ Duke, James (2001). Handbook of Edible Weeds. CRC Press. p. 150. ISBN 978-0-8493-2946-3.
  20. ↑ Braiding Sweetgrass. Minneapolis, MN: Milkweed Editions. 2013. pp. 213–214. ISBN 9781571313560.
  21. ↑ Tilford, Gregory L. (1997). Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West. Mountain Press. p. 112. ISBN 978-0-87842-359-0.
  22. ↑ Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. ISBN 0-333-47494-5
  23. ↑ Scott, Timothy Lee; Buhner, Steven Harrod (2010). Invasive Plant Medicine: The Ecological Benefits and Healing Abilities of Invasives. Inner Traditions / Bear & Co. p. 253. ISBN 978-1-59477-305-1.
  24. ↑ Vizgirdas, Ray S.; Rey-Vizgirdas, Edna (2005). Wild Plants Of The Sierra Nevada. University of Nevada Press. pp. 148–149. ISBN 978-0-87417-535-6.
  25. 1 2 "Plantago". Drugs.com. 23 September 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  26. ↑ Duke, James A. (2001). "Plantago major". Handbook of Phytochemical Constituents of GRAS Herbs and Other Economic Plants. CRC Press. p. 471. ISBN 978-0-8493-3865-6.
  27. ↑ Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation (2005). A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). p. 190. ISBN 978-2-8317-0893-5.
  28. ↑ Duke, James (2001). Handbook of Edible Weeds. CRC Press. p. 151. ISBN 978-0-8493-2946-3.
  29. ↑ Green, James (2000). The Herbal Medicine Maker's Handbook: A Home Manual. Chelsea Green Publishing. pp. 314–315. ISBN 978-0-89594-990-5.
  30. ↑ Foster, Steven; Hobbs, Christopher (2002). A Field Guide to Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. p. 224. ISBN 978-0-395-83806-8.
  31. ↑ Guil-Guerrero, José Luis (August 2010). "Nutritional composition of Plantago species (P-major L., P-lanceolata, L., and P-media L.)". Ecology of Food and Nutrition. 40 (5): 481–495.
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