Plantago media
| Plantago media | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 0.3' |
| Width: | 0.3' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Late Summer |
| Meadows | |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Plantago media (common name: hoary plantain)
Propagation: 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: Succeeds in any moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[1].
Grows well in the spring meadow[2].
An important food plant for the caterpillars of many species of butterflies[3].
The flowers are sweetly scented[4].
Range: Southern Europe, including Britain, to temperate Asia.
Habitat: Fields, meadows and lawns[5]. A common weed of lawns and cultivated land, especially on dry or calcareous soils[6].
Edibility: Young leaves - raw or cooked[5]. The very young leaves have a fairly mild flavour but with a slight bitterness[K]. Used in salads before they become tough[5].
The inflorescence is sweet and is sucked by children[7][8].
Medicinal: The leaves, flowering stems and roots are somewhat astringent, deobstruent, depurative, diuretic, expectorant, haemostatic, refrigerant and vulnerary[9][5]. They are applied externally to skin inflammations, malignant ulcers, cuts etc[9][5]. A mouthwash made from the leaves helps to relieve toothache and a distilled water is a good eyewash[5].
The seeds are demulcent and laxative[9][5].
Plantain seeds contain up to 30% mucilage which swells up in the gut, acting as a bulk laxative and soothing irritated membranes[10]. Sometimes the seed husks are used without the seeds[10].
Usage: The leaves are a cure for blight on fruit trees[11].
Pollinators: Wind, flies, beetles, bees
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
Seed Ripens: Mid Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Baines, Chris. Making a Wildlife Garden.
- ↑ Carter, David. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan, 1982.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Hylton, Josie and William Holtom. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press, 1979.