Plantago lanceolata

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Ribwort Plantain
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Plantaginaceae
Genus: Plantago
Species: P. lanceolata
Binomial name
Plantago lanceolata
L.

Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata), also called English Plantain, is a plant of genus Plantago. It is a common weed of cultivated land.

The plant is a rosette-forming perennial herb, with leafless, silky, hairy flower stems (10–40 cm/3.9–16 in). The basal leaves are lanceolate spreading or erect, scarcely-toothed with 3-5 strong parallel veins narrowed to short petiole. Grouping leaf stalk deeply furrowed, ending in an oblong inflorescence of many small flowers each with a pointed bract. Each flower can produce up to two seeds. Flowers 4 mm (calyx green, corolla brownish), 4 bent back lobes with brown midribs, long white stamens. Found in British Isles, scarce on acidic soils (pH < 4.5). It is considered an invasive weed in North America.

[edit] History

An inflorescence that has set seeds.

Considered to be an indicator of agriculture in pollen diagrams, P. lanceolata has been found in western Norway from the Early Neolithic onwards. Something that is considered to be an indicator of grazing in that area.[1]

[edit] Uses

P. lanceolata is used frequently in tisanes and other herbal remedies. It is also used in many beverages (e.g. organic teas) [2] and even tarts. [3][not in citation given]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Hjelle, K. L.; Hufthammer, A. K.; Bergsvik, K. A. (2006). "Hesitant hunters: a review of the introduction of agriculture in western Norway". Environmental Archaeology 11 (2): 147–170. doi:10.1179/174963106x123188. 
  2. ^ Val plantes herbal ice tea
  3. ^ Plantain tarts