common plantain

The common plantain is an herbaceous perennial that is native to most of Europe and northern and central Asia.  It was probably one of the first European plants inadvertently introduced to North America.  Native Americans called it the white man's footprint because it seemed to spring up everywhere the Europeans settlers went and grew well in environments damaged by their activities.  It is now widely naturalized throughout the world as a common weed of lawns and gardens, and even thrives in the cracks of pavement.

At Salter Grove, individuals of the common plantain are often found as stunted plants on lawns, or along the Marsh Trail above the high tide line.  They are not abundant, but once established will persist from year to year, growing in compacted soil and tolerating frequent mowing or trampling.

Each plant is a basal rosette of large broad leaves that are deeply veined. The tiny greenish flowers are densely arranged along a thin spike that rises above the leaves.  A single spike will remain in flower for two weeks or so but a plant can produce multiple spikes throughout the growing season.  Flowers that are successfully pollinated by wind develop into egg-shaped seed capsules that split open around the middle when ripe.  Each plant can produce up to 20,000 seeds! 

The common plantain had a long history as food and medicine within its native range, and these traditional uses were maintained by the European settlers in colonial North America.  Young leaves were boiled as greens.  The tough and pliable fibers of mature plants were made into cords and fishing line.  Crushed leaves and stalks were used to treat wounds, or sooth insect bites, rashes and mild burns.  Herbalists prepared an infusion to treat sore throats and coughs.  A decoction of the whole plant was used to get rid of dandruff.  Plantain leaves were applied to aching feet after long walks.  

Native Americans across North America embraced this introduced plant as a cure-all medicine.  The plant was used as a poultice to treat painful bruises, rheumatism and headaches.  Crushed leaves were used to alleviate burns, insect stings, and to draw out venom from snakebites or the pus from sores, cuts or infections.  Infusion of the seeds were taken to reduce intestinal inflammation, aid in digestion as well as to regulate and shorten menses.  An ointment was made with the leaves for sore eyes.  An infusion of the plant was consumed to treat diarrhea.  Decoctions of various parts of the plant were prepared for constipation, coughs, diarrhea, female diseases, and stomach problems.  The leaves were cooked or eaten as fresh greens.

For more information:

https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/plantago/major/

http://www.florafinder.com/Species/Plantago_major.php

https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/cm_plantain.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantago_major

http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=plantago+major

Coon, N. (1979). Using Plants for Healing. Rodale Press. p. 158.

Millspaugh, C.F. (1974). American Medicinal Plants. Dover Publications, Inc. pp. 419-422. (Original work published in 1892)

Richardson, J. (1981). Wild edible plants of New England: A Field Guide: Including Poisonous Plants Often Encountered. DeLorme Pub. Co. pp. 113-114.

Seymour, T. (2020). Foraging New England: Edible Wild Food and Medicinal Plants from Maine to the Adirondacks to Long Island Sound. Falcon Guides. pp. 189-190.