Plantago media

Taxobox
name = Hoary plantain


image_width = 250px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Lamiales
familia = Plantaginaceae
genus = "Plantago"
species = "P. media"
binomial = "Plantago media"
binomial_authority = L., 1753

"Plantago media", known as the hoary plantain, is a species of genus "Plantago" native to central Europe and introduced to parts of the north-east United States. Its generic name is derived from the Latin for sole; like other members of "Plantago", it should not be confused with the plantain, a starchy banana.

Description

"Plantago media" grows in damp grassy meadows up to an altitude of 2000 m. A slender stalk of between 5 to 50 cm develops from a basal rosette of finely-haired leaves. Delicate pink-white flowers are borne between May and September. "P. media" is hermaphrodite and is pollinated by wind or insects, particularly bees.

The plant is edible and has long maintained a reputation for medicinal effects as an astringent for treating wounds; in antiquity it was employed against toothache and eye infections. Archeological finds testify to its use during the Roman era in Britain. [cite web | title="Plantago media"| work=Archaeobotanical Computer Database (ABCD) | url=http://intarch.ac.uk/journal/issue1/tomlinson/scripts/abcd.cfm?taxa=Plantago+media&date=all&action=rec&long=on | accessdate=2006-05-29] The seeds are a laxative.

References