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Plantago affra - 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
Plantago affra Psyllium


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Plantago affra Psyllium
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Plantago affra 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

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
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.
Antidiarrhoeal  Laxative

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

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

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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:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

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).

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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 it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Alisma plantago-aquaticaGreat Water Plantain, ZE-XIE, European water plantain, American water plantain, Northern water planPerennial0.9 5-9  LMHNWeWa13 
Plantago amplexicaulis Annual0.1 -  LMHNDM12 
Plantago arenariaFrench PsylliumAnnual0.3 -  LMHNDM13 
Plantago asiaticaChe Qian ZiPerennial0.5 5-9  LMHSNM132
Plantago australisMexican PlantainPerennial0.2 -  LMHNM12 
Plantago camtschatica Perennial0.3 -  LMNDM12 
Plantago coronopusBuck's-Horn PlantainAnnual/Perennial0.3 5-9  LMNDM322
Plantago crassifolia Perennial0.2 -  LMHNM12 
Plantago cunninghamii  0.0 -  LMHSNM00 
Plantago debilis Perennial0.4 -  LMHSNM00 
Plantago decipiens Perennial0.2 -  LMHNDM12 
Plantago depressa Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM12 
Plantago hakusanensis Perennial0.1 -  LMHNM12 
Plantago juncoides Perennial0.0 -  LMHNDM12 
Plantago lanceolataRibwort Plantain, Narrowleaf plantainPerennial0.5 5-9  LMHNDM233
Plantago majorCommon Plantain, Cart Track Plant,White Man's Foot ,PlantainPerennial0.1 3-12 MLMHNM233
Plantago maritimaSea Plantain, Goose tongue, California goose tonguePerennial0.2 5-9  LMHNM322
Plantago mediaHoary PlantainPerennial0.1 5-9  LMHNDM222
Plantago oliganthus Perennial0.2 -  LMHNM12 
Plantago ovataBlond Psyllium, Desert IndianwheatAnnual0.0 0-0  LMHNDM231
Plantago psylliumFleawortAnnual0.6 -  LMHNDM231
Plantago rugeliiBlackseed PlantainAnnual/Perennial0.1 0-0  LMHNDM120

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

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