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English Plantain

Scientific Name:

Plantago lanceolata

Type:

Herbaceous Plant

Habitat:

A wide variety of arid-to moist habitats, doing best in open, distrubed areas

Range:

Native to Eurasia; widespread around the world

Status:

No listed status

This species is

NON-NATIVE

to the Truckee Meadows.

Identification:

English plantains are edible herbs. They have flowers with both female and male organs at the tip of its stem, where both flowers and seeds cluster together and hold a shape similar to the tip of a pencil. The leaves are narrow and grow in a rosette, each leaf is about one inch wide and no longer than six inches in length.

Fast Facts:

  • English plantains are common, edible plants. However, in order to protect themselves from herbivores, they often produce and release chemicals from their leaves.

  • English plantains are native to Eurasia and were often used by the English as sheep fodder.

  • Fresh leaf juice from English plantains has been used as a fever reducer, meanwhile, when steeped into tea, the leaves are used to combat congestion.

  • English plantains have also been used to reduce inflammation both internally, and externally on skin irritations.

Sources:

Contributor(s):

Bridget Mulkerin (research & content)

Alex Shahbazi (edits & page design)

Last Updated:

June 2, 2021 at 11:19:21 PM

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