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Plantago - L.

Common Name

Psyllium

Family

Plantaginaceae

USDA hardiness

Coming soon

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Dry places in S. Europe[50].

Range

S. Europe - Mediterranean.

Edibility Rating

(1 of 5)

Other Uses

(0 of 5)

Weed Potential

No

Medicinal Rating

(3 of 5)

Care (info)

Well drained soil

Moist Soil

Full sun


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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Plantago is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in). It is in leaf from May to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

P. afrum. (L.)Mirb. P. psyllium. L. (1762, non 1753).

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Young leaves - raw or cooked[177].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Plantain seeds contain up to 30% mucilage which swells up in the gut, acting as a bulk laxative and soothing irritated membranes[238]. Sometimes the seed husks are used without the seeds[238].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[200]. This species is closely related to P. arenaria[200].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer A sowing can be made outdoors in situ in mid to late spring if you have enough seeds.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

Coming Soon

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Alisma plantago-aquatica	Great Water Plantain, ZE-XIE, European water plantain, American water plantain, Northern water plan	Perennial	0.9	5-9		LMH	N	WeWa	1	3
Plantago affra	Psyllium	Annual	0.6	-		LMH	N	DM	1	3
Plantago amplexicaulis		Annual	0.1	-		LMH	N	DM	1	2
Plantago arenaria	French Psyllium	Annual	0.3	-		LMH	N	DM	1	3
Plantago asiatica	Che Qian Zi	Perennial	0.5	5-9		LMH	SN	M	1	3	2
Plantago australis	Mexican Plantain	Perennial	0.2	-		LMH	N	M	1	2
Plantago camtschatica		Perennial	0.3	-		LM	N	DM	1	2
Plantago coronopus	Buck's-Horn Plantain	Annual/Perennial	0.3	5-9		LM	N	DM	3	2	2
Plantago crassifolia		Perennial	0.2	-		LMH	N	M	1	2
Plantago cunninghamii			0.0	-		LMH	SN	M	0	0
Plantago debilis		Perennial	0.4	-		LMH	SN	M	0	0
Plantago decipiens		Perennial	0.2	-		LMH	N	DM	1	2
Plantago depressa		Perennial	0.0	-		LMH	SN	M	1	2
Plantago hakusanensis		Perennial	0.1	-		LMH	N	M	1	2
Plantago juncoides		Perennial	0.0	-		LMH	N	DM	1	2
Plantago lanceolata	Ribwort Plantain, Narrowleaf plantain	Perennial	0.5	5-9		LMH	N	DM	2	3	3
Plantago major	Common Plantain, Cart Track Plant,White Man's Foot ,Plantain	Perennial	0.1	3-12	M	LMH	N	M	2	3	3
Plantago maritima	Sea Plantain, Goose tongue, California goose tongue	Perennial	0.2	5-9		LMH	N	M	3	2	2
Plantago media	Hoary Plantain	Perennial	0.1	5-9		LMH	N	DM	2	2	2
Plantago oliganthus		Perennial	0.2	-		LMH	N	M	1	2
Plantago ovata	Blond Psyllium, Desert Indianwheat	Annual	0.0	0-0		LMH	N	DM	2	3	1
Plantago psyllium	Fleawort	Annual	0.6	-		LMH	N	DM	2	3	1
Plantago rugelii	Blackseed Plantain	Annual/Perennial	0.1	0-0		LMH	N	DM	1	2	0

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

50200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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