Psyllium
Plantago afra

Family: Plantaginaceae

What it is like

A short herb. It is an annual plant and has glandular-hairs that are sticky. The stems are much branched. The leaves are narrow and opposite or in rings. They are not fleshy and do not have teeth. The flowers are brownish-white and 4 mm long. They are in rounded clusters. The anthers are pale yellow.

The plantains or Plantaginaceae are mostly in temperate regions. There are about 250 Plantago species.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean climate plant. It grows along roadsides and in waste places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Cuba, Europe, France, Greece, Iraq, Italy, Mediterranean, Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sicily, Spain, Turkey, Türkiye, West Indies

How it is used for food

The young ring of leaves are cooked and eaten.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Psillina, Zaragotona

Synonyms

Plantago cynops Linn.; Plantago psyllium sensu L.;