{{Short description|Genus of flowering plants}} {{About|the plant genus|the fruit also called ''plantain''|Cooking plantain|other uses|Plantain (disambiguation)}} {{More citations needed|date=April 2008}} {{Automatic taxobox | image = Plantago_major.jpg | image_caption = Greater plantain (''Plantago major'') | taxon = Plantago | authority = L. | subdivision_ranks = Subgenera | subdivision = ''Plantago''<br/> ''Coronopus''<br/> ''Bougeria''<br/> ''Psyllium''<br/> ''Littorella'' | synonyms = ''Psyllium'' <small>Mill.</small> | synonyms_ref = <ref name="GRIN">{{cite web |url=http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/genus.pl?9492 |title=Genus: ''Plantago'' L. |work=Germplasm Resources Information Network |publisher=United States Department of Agriculture |date=2006-04-20 |access-date=2011-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115020034/http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/genus.pl?9492 |archive-date=2009-01-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref> }}
'''''Plantago''''' is a genus of about 200 species of flowering plants in the family Plantaginaceae, commonly called '''plantains''' or '''fleaworts'''. The common name plantain is shared with the unrelated cooking plantain. Most are herbaceous plants, though a few are subshrubs growing to {{convert|60|cm|in|abbr=off}} tall.
==Description== The leaves are sessile or have a poorly defined petiole.<ref name=Stace>{{cite book|last=Stace|first=C. A.|author-link = Stace, C. A.|year=2019|title=New Flora of the British Isles|edition=Fourth|publisher=C & M Floristics|location = Middlewood Green, Suffolk, U.K.| isbn=978-1-5272-2630-2}}</ref>{{rp|632}} They have three or five parallel veins that diverge in the wider part of the leaf. Leaves are broad or narrow, depending on the species. The inflorescences are borne on stalks typically {{convert|5|–|40|cm|in|abbr=off|frac=2}} tall, and can be a short cone or a long spike, with numerous tiny wind-pollinated flowers.
==Species== The boundaries of the genus ''Plantago'' have been fairly stable, with the main question being whether to include ''Bougueria'' (one species from the Andes) and ''Littorella'' (2–3 species of aquatic plants).<ref name="albach">Albach, D. C., Meudt, H. M. & Oxelman, B. 2005. [https://web.archive.org/web/20050209160726/http://www.amjbot.org/cgi/content/full/92/2/297 Piecing together the "new" Plantaginaceae]. ''American Journal of Botany'' 92: 297–315.</ref>
There are about 200 species of ''Plantago'', including:
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}} *''Plantago afra'' *''Plantago africana'' *''Plantago aitchisonii'' *''Plantago alpina'' *''Plantago amplexicaulis'' *''Plantago arborescens'' *''Plantago arenaria''—Branched plantain *''Plantago argentea'' *''Plantago aristata''—Bracted plantain, largebracted plantain *''Plantago asiatica''—Chinese plantain, obako, arnoglossa *''Plantago aucklandica'' *''Plantago bigelovii'' *''Plantago canescens'' *''Plantago cladarophylla'' *''Plantago coreana'' *''Plantago cordata''—Heartleaf plantain *''Plantago coronopus''—Buckshorn plantain *''Plantago cornuti'' *''Plantago cretica'' *''Plantago cynops'' *''Plantago debilis''—Shade plantain, weak plantain *''Plantago elongata''—Prairie plantain, slender plantain *''Plantago erecta''—California plantain, foothill plantain, dot-seed plantain, English plantain, dwarf plantain *''Plantago eriopoda''—Redwool plantain *''Plantago erosa'' *''Plantago fernandezia'' *''Plantago fischeri'' *''Plantago gentianoides'' *''Plantago glabrifolia'' *''Plantago grayana'' *''Plantago gunnii'' - bolster plantain or bolster plantago *''Plantago hawaiensis''—Hawaiian plantain *''Plantago hedleyi'' *''Plantago helleri''—Heller's plantain *''Plantago heterophylla'' *''Plantago hillebrandii'' *''Plantago himalaica'' *''Plantago holosteum'' *''Plantago hookeriana''—Hookers plantain, tallow weed, California plantain *''Plantago incisa'' *''Plantago indica'' *''Plantago krajinai'' *''Plantago lagopus''—Hare's foot plantain *''Plantago lanceolata''—Ribwort plantain *''Plantago lanigera'' *''Plantago leiopetala''—Madeira plantain *''Plantago longissima'' *''Plantago macrocarpa'' *''Plantago major''—Greater plantain, common plantain *''Plantago maritima''—Sea plantain *''Plantago maxima'' *''Plantago media''—Hoary plantain *''Plantago melanochrous'' *''Plantago moorei''—Moore's plantain *''Plantago musicola'' *''Plantago nivalis'' *''Plantago novae-zelandiae'' *''Plantago nubicola'' (also known as ''Bougueria nubicola'') *''Plantago obconica'' *''Plantago ovata''—Indian wheat, blond psyllium *''Plantago pachyphylla'' *''Plantago palustris'' *''Plantago palmata'' *''Plantago patagonica''—Woolly plantain *''Plantago picta'' *''Plantago polysperma'' *''Plantago princeps'' *''Plantago purshii''—Woolly plantain *''Plantago pusilla'' *''Plantago psyllium''—Sand plantain, French or dark psyllium *''Plantago raoulii'' *''Plantago rapensis'' *''Plantago remota'' *''Plantago reniformis'' *''Plantago rhodosperma''—Redseed plantain, redseed indianwheat *''Plantago rigida'' *''Plantago robusta'' *''Plantago rugelii''—Blackseed plantain *''Plantago rupicola'' *''Plantago schneideri'' *''Plantago sempervirens'' *''Plantago sparsiflora'' *''Plantago spathulata'' *''Plantago subnuda''—Tall coastal plantain *''Plantago tanalensis'' *''Plantago taqueti'' *''Plantago tenuiflora'' *''Plantago triandra'' *''Plantago triantha'' *''Plantago tweedyi'' *''Plantago udicola'' *''Plantago unibracteata'' *''Plantago virginica''—Virginia plantain, paleseed plantain *''Plantago winteri'' *''Plantago wrightiana''—Wright's plantain {{div col end}}
=== Etymology === The genus name ''Plantago'' descends from the classical Latin name {{lang|la|plantago}}, which in classical Latin meant some ''Plantago'' species, including ''Plantago major'' and ''Plantago media''. In Latin the name was formed from the classical Latin word {{lang|la|planta}} = "sole of the foot". The name was so formed in Latin because the leaves of these species grow out near flat at ground level. The suffix {{lang|la|-ago}} in Latin means "a sort of".<ref>"Plantago" in [https://books.google.com/books?id=NJ6PyhVuecwC&q=plantago ''The Names of Plants''], by David Gledhill, year 2008. Compare the definitions of "planta", "plantago" and "plantarium" in [http://athirdway.com/glossa/ Lewis and Short's Latin-English Dictionary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029155201/http://athirdway.com/glossa/ |date=2009-10-29 }}. See "planta" at [http://www.latin-dictionary.net/definition/30658/planta-plantae Latin-Dictionary.net] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911142243/http://latin-dictionary.net/definition/30658/planta-plantae |date=2014-09-11 }}.</ref>
== Distribution and habitat == The species are found all over the world, including the Americas, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Africa and Europe. Many species in the genus are cosmopolitan weeds. They are found in many different habitats, most commonly in wet areas like seepages or bogs. They can also be found in alpine and semi-alpine or coastal areas. The cosmopolitan weeds can be frequently seen at the side of roads.
== Ecology == Plantains are used as food plants by the larvae of some species of Lepidoptera (butterfly and moth).
==Uses== Plantain has been consumed as human food since prehistory. For example, archaeological recovery along California's Central Coast has demonstrated use of this species as a food since the Millingstone Horizon.<ref>C. Michael Hogan (2008). [http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=18502 ''Morro Creek''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524184144/http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=18502 |date=2013-05-24 }}, ed. by A. Burnham.</ref> The broad-leaved varieties are sometimes used as a leaf vegetable for salads, green sauce, and so on.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Renton |first1=Marlow |title=Foraging Pocket Guide |last2=Biggane |first2=Eric |publisher=Wild Food UK |year=2020 |isbn=978-1-9999222-2-1 |edition=2020}}</ref>{{rp|108–109}} Tender young plantain leaves can be eaten raw and older leaves can be cooked. The seeds can be cooked like rice.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Nyerges |first1=Christopher |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RwDHCgAAQBAJ |title=Foraging Wild Edible Plants of North America: More than 150 Delicious Recipes Using Nature's Edibles |date=2016 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1-4930-1499-6 |page=142 |access-date=2020-05-20 |archive-date=2024-06-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610062009/https://books.google.com/books?id=RwDHCgAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>
''Plantago'' species have been used since prehistoric times as herbal remedies. The herb is astringent, anti-toxic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine, as well as demulcent, expectorant, styptic and diuretic.<ref name="Samuelsen-2000-p1">{{cite journal |author=Samuelsen, Anne Berit |title=The traditional uses, chemical constituents and biological activities of Plantago major L. A review |journal=Journal of Ethnopharmacology |volume=77 |issue=1–2 |date=July 2000 |pages=1–21 |doi=10.1016/S0378-8741(00)00212-9 |issn=0378-8741 |pmid=10904143 |pmc=7142308 }}</ref> Externally, a poultice of the leaves is useful for insect bites, poison-ivy rashes, minor sores, and boils. In folklore it is even claimed to be able to cure snakebite and was used by the Dakota tribe of North America for this.<ref name="jama1">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jI01AQAAMAAJ&q=Plantago+snakebite&pg=PA118 |title=Journal of the American Medical Association |volume=1 |page=118 |year=1883 |access-date=2020-10-26 |archive-date=2024-06-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610062010/https://books.google.com/books?id=jI01AQAAMAAJ&q=Plantago+snakebite&pg=PA118#v=snippet&q=Plantago%20snakebite&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> Internally, it is used for coughs and bronchitis, as a tea,<ref>{{Cite book|last=Angier|first=Bradford|url=https://archive.org/details/fieldguidetoedib00angi/page/168/mode/2up|title=Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants|publisher=Stackpole Books|year=1974|isbn=0-8117-0616-8|location=Harrisburg, PA|pages=168|oclc=799792|author-link=Bradford Angier}}</ref> tincture, or syrup.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Najafian |first1=Younes |last2=Hamedi |first2=Shokouh Sadat |last3=Kaboli Farshchi |first3=Masoumeh |last4=Feyzabadi |first4=Zohre |date=2018-02-25 |title=Plantago major in Traditional Persian Medicine and modern phytotherapy: a narrative review |url=http://www.ephysician.ir/index.php/browse-issues/10/2/969-6390 |journal=Electronic Physician |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=6390–6399 |doi=10.19082/6390 |pmc=5878035 |pmid=29629064}}</ref> Tea made from the leaves may help cure diarrhea.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Complete Guide to Edible Wild Plants |publisher=Skyhorse Publishing |others=United States Department of the Army |year=2009 |isbn=978-1-60239-692-0 |location=New York |pages=79 |language=en-US |oclc=277203364 }}</ref>
Plantain seed husks expand and become mucilaginous when wet, especially those of ''P. psyllium'', which is used in common over-the-counter bulk laxative and fiber supplement products such as Metamucil. ''P. psyllium'' seed is useful for constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, dietary fiber supplementation, and diverticular disease. Mucilage from desert indianwheat (''P. ovata'') is obtained by grinding off the husk. This mucilage, also known as psyllium, is commonly sold as Isabgol, a laxative which is used to control irregular bowel syndrome and constipation.<ref>Sangwan et al. (2011). Mucilages and their Pharmaceutical Applications: an Overview. Pharmacology Online 2: 1265–1271.</ref> It has been used as an indigenous Ayurvedic and Unani medicine for a whole range of bowel problems. Psyllium supplements are typically used in powder form, along with adequate amounts of fluids. A dose of at least 7 grams daily taken with adequate amounts of fluid (water, juice) is used by some for management of elevated cholesterol. There are a number of psyllium products used for constipation. The usual dose is about 3.5 grams twice a day. Psyllium is also a component of several ready-to-eat cereals.
In Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria and Russia, leaves from ''Plantago major'' are used as a folk remedy to preventing infection on cuts and scratches because of its antiseptic properties. In Slovenia and other Central European regions, the leaves were traditionally used topically as a cure for blisters resulting from friction (such as caused by tight shoes etc.).
There may also be a use for plantains in the abatement of enteric methane from ruminants,<ref>Ramírez-Restrepo, C. and T. Barry (2005). "Alternative temperate forages containing secondary compounds for improving sustainable productivity in grazing ruminants", Animal Feed Science and Technology, 120(3-4), 179–201.</ref> as the natural compounds present (e.g. condensed tannins; ~14 g/kg DM), affect the acetate-propionate ratio in the rumen, which is a primary mechanism by which methanogenesis is restricted.<ref>Lourenço, M., G. Van Ranst, B. Vlaeminck, S. De Smet, and V. Fievez (2008). "Influence of different dietary forages on the fatty acid composition of rumen digesta as well as ruminant meat and milk", Animal Feed Science and Technology, 145(1-4), 418–437.</ref> Currently this is not a viable option in any significant scale due to agronomic difficulties.
==Culture== As Old English ''Wegbrade'' the plantago is one of the nine plants invoked in the pagan Anglo-Saxon ''Nine Herbs Charm'', recorded in the 10th century.
==Gallery== <gallery> File:Plantago alpina0.jpg|''Plantago alpina'' File:Plantago_lanceolata_plant.jpg|Ribwort plantain (''Plantago lanceolata'') File:Ribwort 600.jpg |Ribwort plantain (''Plantago lanceolata'') File:Plantago nivalis.JPG|''Plantago nivalis'' File:Ribwort flower spike 800.jpg|Ribwort plantain flower spike File:Plantago coronopus0.jpg|Buckshorn plantain (''Plantago coronopus'') File:Plantago-media-stepposa10.jpg|''Plantago media stepposa'' File:Plantago-maritima-flowers.JPG|''Plantago maritima'' </gallery>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{EB1911 poster|Plantain}} * {{Commons category-inline}} * {{Wikispecies-inline}} * [http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/p/placom43.html Common Plantain, from Mrs. Grieve's herbal] * [http://www.armeniapedia.org/index.php?title=Plantago_major Medicinal uses of P. major in Armenia] * [http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/psyllium.html Additional information about psyllium, including growing procedure and economic value] * [http://www.northernbushcraft.com/plants/commonPlantain/notes.htm Edibility of Plantago]: Visual identification and edible parts of wild plantago.
{{Taxonbar|from=Q164686}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Plantago Category:Plantaginaceae genera Category:Laxatives Category:Leaf vegetables Category:Medicinal plants Category:Botanical taxa named by Carl Linnaeus