Practical
Plants

Plantago amplexicaulis

an annual member of the Plantago genus in the family Plantaginaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
annual
Height
0.1 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Wind
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaves - raw or cooked.

Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The dried seeds are demulcent, febrifuge, ophthalmic and pectoral. They are used in the treatment of intestinal complaints and as a demulcent in cases of dysentery[4][6]. Plantain seeds contain up to 30% mucilage which swells up in the gut, acting as a bulk laxative and soothing irritated membranes[2]. Sometimes the seed husks are used without the seeds[2]. The leaves are astringent[3]. They are said to be useful in the treatment of intermittent fevers and pulmonary affections[3]. An infusion is applied to the eyes in the treatment of ophthalmia[3].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Demulcent
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Pectoral

Environment

Range
S. Europe to W. Asia.
Habitat
Dry places in S. Spain, S. Italy and the Aegean[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in any moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[1]. This species is sold in local markets in India as a medicinal plant[4].

References

  1. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩

  2. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2

  3. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2

  5. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

    ↩

  6. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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