Narrow-leaf plantain, Buckhorn plantain
Plantago lanceolata

Family: Plantaginaceae

What it is like

A herb which keeps growing from year to year. It has a well developed taproot. The leaves have stalks. The leaves are 2.5-30 cm long. They are sword shaped and taper to the tip. They can have teeth along the edge. The leaves have 3-7 easy to see veins running along them. The leaves have soft slender hairs. The flower stalks do not have leaves. The flower stalk is usually longer than the leaves. The flower stalk is usually deeply furrowed. The flowers are yellowish.

The plantains or Plantaginaceae are mostly in temperate regions. There are about 165 Plantago species. This plant causes hay-fever due to its pollen.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. In Nepal it grows up to 1700 m altitude. in Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level. It grows on open, sandy soil. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Alaska, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Balkans, Belarus, Belgium, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia, Botswana, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Canary Is., Caucasus, Central America, Central Asia, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo DR, Cook Is., Costa Rica, Crete, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Easter Island, Eswatini, Europe (country/location of origin), Falklands, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Greenland, French Guiana, Haiti, Himalayas, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Manchuria, Mauritania, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, North Africa, North America, Norway, NW India, Pakistan, Palestine, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Siberia, Sicily, Slovenia, South Africa, South America, Southern Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, West Indies, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The tender leaves are cooked as a vegetable. They are also eaten in salads. The leaves are used for sarma in Turkey. They are rolled around a filling of rice or minced meat. The seeds are used like sago. The leaves are also used for liqueur.

The leaves and young flowers are foraged and eaten in restaurants in Sweden. It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, spice, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Baltanga, Code de sorce, Damarlica, Gul, Hiunca llanten, Isapgol, Lamb's tongue, Lanzafina, Lechuguilla, Lengua de vaca, Llanten, Llanten menor, Llanthen de hoja angosta, Long-leaved plantain, Masloon, Muska bokvica, Ozkolistni trpotec, Pelhves, Pentranevro, Piantai, Plangtarl long, Plantago, Plantatge, Planten, Ribgrass, Ribwort plantain, Rumput iga, Siete venas, Sinco nervi, Sinirliot, Smalkjempe, Smalle weegbree, Spitzwegerich, Tanchagem, Tansagem

Synonyms

Plantago attentuata Wall.; Plantago orientalis Stapf; and many others