Practical
Plants

Plantago media

Hoary Plantain

a perennial member of the Plantago genus in the family Plantaginaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.1 m
Spread
0.1 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Wind, Flies, Beetles, Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Wind, Flies, Beetles, Bees

Uses

Edible uses

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

Young leaves - raw or cooked[11]. The very young leaves have a fairly mild flavour but with a slight bitterness[K]. Used in salads before they become tough[11]. The inflorescence is sweet and is sucked by children[3][4].

Plant part
Flowers
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 leaves, flowering stems and roots are somewhat astringent, deobstruent, depurative, diuretic, expectorant, haemostatic, refrigerant and vulnerary[10][11]. They are applied externally to skin inflammations, malignant ulcers, cuts etc[10][11]. A mouthwash made from the leaves helps to relieve toothache and a distilled water is a good eyewash[11]. The seeds are demulcent and laxative[10][11]. Plantain seeds contain up to 30% mucilage which swells up in the gut, acting as a bulk laxative and soothing irritated membranes[6]. Sometimes the seed husks are used without the seeds[6].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Demulcent
Product or use
Deobstruent
Product or use
Depurative
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Haemostatic
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Odontalgic
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Refrigerant

Material uses

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

The leaves are a cure for blight on fruit trees[2].

Product or use
Fungicide

Environment

Range
Southern Europe, including Britain, to temperate Asia.
Habitat
Fields, meadows and lawns[11]. A common weed of lawns and cultivated land, especially on dry or calcareous soils[1].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
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[5]. Grows well in the spring meadow[7]. An important food plant for the caterpillars of many species of butterflies[9]. The flowers are sweetly scented[8].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

    ↩

  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  4. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  7. Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

    ↩

  8. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  9. Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan 1982-00-00 ISBN 0-330-26642-x

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

Edit this page