Blond psyllium, Psyllium, Indian plantago seed
Plantago ovata

Family: Plantaginaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It grows 5 m high. It has soft hairs. The leaves are in rings. They are narrow and 2-10 cm long by 1-2 mm wide. The fruit capsule is 8 mm long. It contains 2 seeds. These are yellowish brown.

It is used as a natural dietary fibre supplement. The plantains or Plantaginaceae are mostly in temperate regions. There are about 165 Plantago species.

Where it is found

It is a warm temperate and Mediterranean climate plant. It cannot tolerate frost. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 80-500 mm. It grows below 1,800 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Algeria, Armenia, Asia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Caucasus, Central Asia, China, Cyprus, Egypt, Europe, Georgia, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Libya, Mediterranean (country/location of origin), Mexico, Middle East, Morocco, Myanmar, North Africa, North America, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Somalia, Spain, Syria, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, USA

How it is used for food

The husks are used in drinks. The mucilage in the seed coat is used as a stabiliser in ice cream and chocolate manufacture. Sprouted seeds can be eaten in salads, soups and stews. The seeds are mixed with barley grains and processed into flour for flat bread or porridge.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Blond plantain, Desert indianwheat, Eikta-pha-gula, Eshopgol, Falooda seed, Flea seed, Ghoda jeeru, Isabgola, Isafgolu, Isapghol, Isapgola vitulu, Ishad gola, Iskolvirai, Ispaghol, Ispaghula, Isphagula, Isubgol, Karkatasringi, Lepa-du, Sath, Sat isabgol, Spogel seeds, Umto jeeru, Visamagolu

Synonyms

Plantago decumbens Forsskal; Plantago insularis Eastw.; Plantago insularis Eastw. var. fastigiata (Morris) Jepson; Plantago ispaghula Roxb. ex Fleming; Plantago trichophylla;