(Plantago major)
Conservation • Wetland • Description • Habitat • Biology • Use • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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IUCN Red List | not listed |
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NatureServe | NNR - Unranked SNA - No Status Rank |
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Minnesota | not listed |
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Wetland Indicator Status |
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Great Plains | FAC - Facultative |
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Midwest | FAC - Facultative |
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Northcentral & Northeast | FACU - Facultative upland |
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Description |
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Common plantain is a 3″ to 12″ tall, erect, perennial forb that rises on a rosette of leaves and 1 or more flowering stalks (scapes) from fibrous roots. The leaves are all basal and form a rosette. They are broadly elliptic to broadly egg-shaped, 1½″ to 7″ long, and ⅝″ to 4⅓″ wide, 1.3 to usually 2 times as long as wide. They have 3 or more prominent veins that separate at the base and are parallel to the margins. They are abruptly contracted at the base to the leaf stalk. The leaf stalk is hairless and green, even at the base. The margins are untoothed or irregularly toothed. The scapes are leafless and 2″ to 10″ tall. The inflorescence is an unbranched, cylindrical spike of tiny green flowers at the end of the scape. The spikes narrow, tapering, hairless, 2″ to 11¾″ tall, and less than ⅜″ wide. The flowers are 1 ⁄16″ to ⅛″ long. There are 4 green to white petals, 4 sepals, and 4 stamens. They are subtended by 1 ⁄16″ to ⅛″ long, keeled, broadly egg-shaped, leaf-like bracts. Pollination is by wind. The fruit is a capsule containing 6 to 30 seeds. |
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Height |
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3″ to 12″ |
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Flower Color |
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Green to white |
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Similar Species |
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Black-seeded plantain (Plantago rugelii var. rugelii) has leaf stalks that are reddish at the base. The bracts are lance-shaped to triangular. |
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Habitat |
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Disturbed sites, gardens, lawns. |
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Biology |
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Flowering |
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June to August |
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Pests and Diseases |
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Use |
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Distribution |
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Sources |
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Nativity |
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Native to Eurasia. Naturalized worldwide |
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Occurrence |
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Taxonomy |
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Kingdom | Plantae (green algae and land plants) | ||
Subkingdom | Viridiplantae (green plants) | ||
Infrakingdom | Streptophyta (land plants and green algae) | ||
Superdivision | Embryophyta (land plants) | ||
Division | Tracheophyta (vascular plants) | ||
Subdivision | Spermatophytina (seed plants) | ||
Class | Magnoliopsida (flowering plants) | ||
Superorder | Asteranae | ||
Order |
Lamiales (mints, plantains, olives, and allies) | ||
Family |
Plantaginaceae (plantain) | ||
Tribe | Plantagineae | ||
Genus | Plantago (plantains) | ||
Subgenus | Plantago | ||
Synonyms |
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Plantago asiatica Plantago halophila Plantago major var. asiatica Plantago major ssp. intermedi Plantago major var. intermedia Plantago major var. major Plantago major var. pachyphylla Plantago major var. pilgeri Plantago major var. scopulorum |
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Common Names |
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broad-leaved plantain buckhorn plantain common plantain grand plantain greater plantain plantain rippleseed plant |
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Other Videos |
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Broadleaf Plantain (Plantago major) ~ LuminEarth's How to Identify Wild Edible & Medicinal Plants Becki Baumgartner |
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About
Uploaded on Sep 17, 2010 Broadleaf Plantain grows from a short, tough rootstock or rhizome, which has a large number of long, straight, yellowish roots, is a basal, rosette of large, broadly oval, dark green, leaves. The 4 to 10 inch long smooth, thick, strong and fibrous leaves have 3 to 7 or more ribbed veins, abruptly contracting into a long, petiole (leaf stalk) which is reddish at the base. The leaf margin of Broadleaf Plantain is entire, or unevenly toothed. The flower stalks, are erect, long, slender, densely-flowered spikes. Each tiny flower is brownish and bell-shaped with four stamens and purple anthers. Flowers bloom most of the summer. The fruit is a two-celled capsule and containing four to sixteen seeds. Gather young edible Broadleaf Plantain leaves in spring. Gather Plantain after flower spike forms, dry for later herb use. The young leaves of the Broadleaf Plantain plant are edible as a raw salad or cooked as spinach. Broadleaf Plantain contains Acubin which is reported to be a powerful anti-toxin. The leaves and the seed are medicinal used as an antibacterial, antidote, astringent, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antitussive, cardiac, demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, haemostatic, laxative, ophthalmic, poultice, refrigerant, and vermifuge. Medical evidence exists to confirm uses as an alternative medicine for asthma, emphysema, bladder problems, bronchitis, fever, hypertension, rheumatism and blood sugar control. For the most current and detailed information on this plant, please visit our FREE Online Guide to Wild Edible & Medicinal Plants at http://www.luminearth.com/luminearthsguide/ . Disclaimer: The statements in these videos are for educational purposes only and have not been evaluated by or sanctioned by the FDA. Only your doctor can properly diagnose and treat any disease or disorder. The remedies discussed herein are not meant to treat or cure any type of disease. The user understands that the above information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician or a pharmacist. Make sure you can positively identify a plant before ingesting it. Some plants are poisonous, and misidentification could possibly result in serious illness or death. |
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Greater Broadleaf Plantain (Plantago Major subsp. Major) - 2012-07-15 W3stlander |
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About
Published on Jul 18, 2012 Plantago major ("broadleaf plantain" or "greater plantain") is a species of Plantago, family Plantaginaceae. --------------------- |
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Day Hike ( part 3 ) Common Plantain MiWilderness |
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About
Uploaded on Jul 28, 2010 It is suggested by many authors and online resources that Common plantain is a good cure for poison ivy and insect bites. I have not found that to be the case. the young leaves are edible, but can be stringy. I personally don't like the flavor, but it is a good plant to become familiar with. |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center Charles A. Lindbergh State Park Felton Prairie SNA, Bicentennial Unit Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park Itasca Wilderness Sanctuary SNA Lake Alexander Woods SNA, South Unit Minnesota Valley NWR, Chaska Unit Minnesota Valley NWR, Louisville Swamp Unit Minnesota Valley NWR, Rapids Lake Unit Mound Spring Prairie SNA, North Unit Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR, Pavia Unit Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR, Touch the Sky Prairie Unit Richard M. & Mathilde Rice Elliott SNA Sand Prairie Wildlife Management and Environmental Education Area Spring Beauty Northern Hardwoods SNA |
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