Theleaves aresessile or have a poorly definedpetiole.[2]: 632 They have three or five parallel veins that diverge in the wider part of the leaf. Leaves are broad or narrow, depending on the species. Theinflorescences are borne on stalks typically 5–40 centimetres (2–15+1⁄2 inches) tall, and can be a short cone or a long spike, with numerous tiny wind-pollinatedflowers.
The boundaries of the genusPlantago have been fairly stable, with the main question being whether to includeBougueria (one species from theAndes) andLittorella (2–3 species of aquatic plants).[3]
There are about 200 species ofPlantago, including:
The genus namePlantago descends from the classicalLatin nameplantago, which in classical Latin meant somePlantago species, includingPlantago major andPlantago media. In Latin the name was formed from the classical Latin wordplanta = "sole of the foot". The name was so formed in Latin because the leaves of these species grow out near flat at ground level. The suffix-ago in Latin means "a sort of".[4]
The species are found all over the world, including theAmericas,Asia,Australia,New Zealand,Africa andEurope. Manyspecies in thegenus arecosmopolitan weeds. They are found in many differenthabitats, most commonly in wet areas like seepages orbogs. They can also be found in alpine and semi-alpine or coastal areas. The cosmopolitan weeds can be frequently seen at the side of roads.
Plantain has been consumed as human food sinceprehistory. For example, archaeological recovery alongCalifornia's Central Coast has demonstrated use of this species as a food since theMillingstone Horizon.[5] The broad-leaved varieties are sometimes used as aleaf vegetable forsalads,green sauce, and so on.[6]: 108–109 Tender young plantain leaves can be eaten raw and older leaves can be cooked. The seeds can be cooked like rice.[7]
Plantain seed husks expand and becomemucilaginous when wet, especially those ofP. psyllium, which is used in common over-the-counter bulklaxative and fiber supplement products such asMetamucil.P. psyllium seed is useful forconstipation,irritable bowel syndrome, dietary fiber supplementation, anddiverticular disease. Mucilage fromdesert indianwheat (P. ovata) is obtained by grinding off thehusk. This mucilage, also known aspsyllium, is commonly sold asIsabgol, a laxative which is used to control irregular bowel syndrome and constipation.[13] It has been used as anindigenousAyurvedic andUnani medicine for a whole range of bowel problems. Psyllium supplements are typically used in powder form, along with adequate amounts of fluids. A dose of at least 7 grams daily taken with adequate amounts of fluid (water, juice) is used by some for management of elevated cholesterol. There are a number of psyllium products used forconstipation. The usual dose is about 3.5 grams twice a day. Psyllium is also a component of several ready-to-eat cereals.
In Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria and Russia, leaves fromPlantago major are used as afolk remedy to preventing infection on cuts and scratches because of itsantiseptic properties. InSlovenia and otherCentral European regions, the leaves were traditionally used topically as a cure forblisters resulting fromfriction (such as caused by tight shoes etc.).
There may also be a use for plantains in the abatement of entericmethane fromruminants,[14] as the natural compounds present (e.g. condensedtannins; ~14 g/kg DM), affect the acetate-propionate ratio in therumen, which is a primary mechanism by whichmethanogenesis is restricted.[15] Currently this is not a viable option in any significant scale due to agronomic difficulties.
^"Genus:Plantago L."Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 2006-04-20. Archived fromthe original on 2009-01-15. Retrieved2011-03-04.
^Stace, C. A. (2019).New Flora of the British Isles (Fourth ed.). Middlewood Green, Suffolk, U.K.: C & M Floristics.ISBN978-1-5272-2630-2.
^Sangwan et al. (2011). Mucilages and their Pharmaceutical Applications: an Overview. Pharmacology Online 2: 1265–1271.
^Ramírez-Restrepo, C. and T. Barry (2005). "Alternative temperate forages containing secondary compounds for improving sustainable productivity in grazing ruminants", Animal Feed Science and Technology, 120(3-4), 179–201.
^Lourenço, M., G. Van Ranst, B. Vlaeminck, S. De Smet, and V. Fievez (2008). "Influence of different dietary forages on the fatty acid composition of rumen digesta as well as ruminant meat and milk", Animal Feed Science and Technology, 145(1-4), 418–437.
