Family: Plantaginaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 113 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Plantago
Vegetable: False
Observations: Macaronesia, N. Africa to Mauritania, Temp. Eurasia
Description
Narrow-leaf plantain, scientifically known as Plantago lanceolata, is a highly adaptable perennial herb renowned for its resilience and widespread presence. This plant thrives in diverse geographical regions, extending from the temperate realms of Eurasia to the vibrant climates of Northern Africa and Mauritania, as well as the unique biomes of Macaronesia.
Characterized by its long, slender leaves that form a basal rosette, Narrow-leaf plantain is often found in meadows, grasslands, and disturbed habitats. Its leaves, which can reach lengths of up to 12 inches, are narrowly lanceolate, a feature that not only contributes to its name but also aids in reducing water loss and adapting to various environmental conditions.
The plant produces inconspicuous, greenish-brown flowers arranged in dense, cylindrical spikes. These spikes, perched atop leafless, grooved stalks, can grow significantly taller than the basal leaves, often bending or curving as they mature. Flowering typically occurs in late spring to early autumn, followed by the production of small, dry fruits containing numerous tiny seeds.
Belonging to the Plantaginaceae family, Plantago lanceolata is often regarded for its medicinal properties. Traditionally, it has been utilized in herbal remedies to treat ailments such as respiratory issues, skin inflammations, and digestive disorders. Its leaves contain bioactive compounds like aucubin, which exhibit anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties.
In addition to its medicinal uses, Narrow-leaf plantain plays a significant role in the ecosystem. It serves as a food source for various insects, including the larvae of some butterfly species. This plant also provides substantial ground cover, reducing soil erosion and promoting soil health.
First cataloged in Species Plantarum in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, Plantago lanceolata has continued to be a subject of interest for botanists and ecologists alike. Its remarkable adaptability and utility in natural medicine underscore its value to both biodiversity and human health.
Common Names
Eng: buckhorn, buckhorn plantain, english plantain, lanceleaf indianwheat, lanceleaf plantain, narrow-leaf plantain, narrowleaf plantain, ribgrass, ribwort, ribwort plantain, black plantain, lance-leaved plantain, narrow-leaved plantain, ripplegrass
Dan: lancet-vejbred
Deu: spitz-wegerich, spitzwegerich
Spa: yerba de costilla, llantén menor
Fra: petit plantain, plantain lancé olé, plantain lancéolé
Por: plantagem, tanchagem-menor
Nld: smalle weegbree
Swe: svartkämpar, spetsgroblad
Sme: čáhppesskážir
Cym: aslyllynes, astyllenes, astyllenlys, ceiliog a’r iâr, dail ceiliog, dail llwyn y neidr, dalen gryman, estyllenlys, llwyn hidl, llwyn y neidr, llwyndidill, llwynhidydd, llyriad llwynhidydd, llyriad yr ais, llyriaid yr ais, llysiau yr ais, pennau’r gwyr, sawdl crist, traeturiaid y bugeilyd
En: Narrow-leaf plantain, English plantain, Buckhorn, Buckhorn plantain, Ribgrass, Ribwort, Ribwort plantain, Narrowleaf plantain, Spitzwegerich, Lanceleaf Indianwheat, Lamb’s tongue, Ribleaf, Lanceleaf plantain, Black plantain, Lance-leaved plantain, Narrow-leaved plantain, Ripplegrass, Plantain
Af: Smalweëblaar, Smalblaarplantago
Ar: لسان الحمل السناني, لسان الفرد
Az: Nəştəryarpaq bağayarpağı
Eu: Ezpata-plantain
Be: Трыпутнік ланцэтны
Bs: Uskolisna bokvica
Bg: Теснолистен живовлек
Ca: Plantatge de fulla estreta, Cinc-costures, Cinc-nervis, Cinc-nirvis
Zh: Chang ye che qian, 披针叶车前, 欧车前, 窄叶车前, 長葉車前草, 长叶车前
Kw: Les hynsledan pymp gwythien
Hr: Uskolisni trputac
Cs: Jitrocel kopinatý
Da: Lancet-Vejbred, Lancetbladet Vejbred, Lancetvejbred
Nl: Smalle weegbree
Et: Süstleheline teeleht, Süstlehine teeleht
Fi: Heinäratamo
Fr: Plantain lancé olé, Petit plantain, Herbe à cinq coutures, Herbe à cinq côtes, Plantain lanceole, Plantain lancéolé, Plantain étroit, Herbe aux cinq coutures, Plantain intermédiaire, Plantain très élevé
Gl: Chantaxe lanceolada, Lingua de ovella
De: Spitzwegerich, Lungenblattl, Spiesskraut, Spießkraut, Spitz-Wegerich, Spitz Wegerich
He: לחך אזמלני
Hu: Lándzsás útifű
Ga: Slánlus
It: Arnoglossa, Cinquenervi, Lingua di Cane, Piantaggine femmina, Piantaggine lanciuola, Piantaggine minore, Orecchie di lepre, Piantaggine, Lanciuola
Ja: Hera-ōbako
Ko: Changjilgyeongi, 창질경이
Ku: Hevîzar
Li: Smale waegbrei
Lt: Siauralapis gyslotis
Mk: Машки тегавец
Se: Čáhppesskážir
No: Smalkjempe
Oc: Èrba de cinc còstas
Os: Лыстæгсыфджын дугъысыф
Ps: گزک بوټي
Fa: کاردی
Pl: Babka lancetowata
Pt: Tanchagem-menor, Língua-de-ovelha, Plantagem
Qu: Qallu-qallu
Ru: Podorožnik lancetnyj, Подорожник ланцетный, Подорожник ланцетовидный, Подорожник ланцетолист, Подорожник ланцетолистный
Sr: Мушка боквица
Sk: Skorocel kopijovitý
Es: Llantén menor, Llantén de cinco nervios, Ozkolistni trpotec, Quinquenervia, Siete venas, Yerba de costilla, Llantén de hojas estrechas, Llantén lanceolado, Llanten
Sv: Svartkämpar, Spetsgroblad
Zh-tw: 長葉車前
Zh-hant: 長葉車前
Tr: Dar yapraklı sinir otu, Dar yapraklı sinirli ot, Dar yapraklı sinirliot
Uk: Подорожник ланцетолистий
Wa: Oraye-di-live
Cy: Llyriad yr ais, Aslyllynes, Astyllenes, Astyllenlys, Ceiliog a’r Iâr, Dail Ceiliog, Dail Llwyn y Neidr, Dalen Gryman, Estyllenlys, Llwyn Hidl, Llwyn y Neidr, Llwyndidill, Llwynhidydd, Llyriad Llwynhidydd, Llyriaid yr Ais, Llysiau yr Ais, Pennau’r Gwyr, Sawdl Crist, Traeturiaid y Bugeilyd
Synonyms
- Plantago intermedia (K.Koch)
- Plantago lanceolata var. communis (Schltdl.)
- Plantago lanceifolia (Salisb.)
- Arnoglossum lanceolatum var. ramosum (Gray)
- Plantago lanceolata f. eriophora ((Hoffmanns. & Link) Merino)
- Plantago lanceolata var. dubia ((L.) Lilj.)
- Plantago lanceolata f. pleiocephala (Merino)
- Plantago lanceolata var. eriophylla (Decne.)
- Plantago lanceolata var. mediterranea ((Strobl) Pilg.)
- Plantago glareosa (A.Kern. ex Meynh.)
- Plantago pseudopatagonica (Vatke)
- Plantago lanceolata subvar. eriophora ((Hoffmanns. & Link) Pilg.)
- Plantago dalmatica (Schott ex Steud.)
- Plantago lanceolata var. bakeri (C.E.Salmon)
- Plantago linkii (Roem. & Schult.)
- Plantago lanceolata var. angustifolia (DC.)
- Plantago sylvatica (H.Mart.)
- Plantago orientalis var. lycia (Stapf)
- Plantago lanceolata var. montana (Edmondston)
- Plantago lanceolata subsp. eriophora ((Hoffmanns. & Link) Soó)
- Plantago lanceolata f. coarctata (Neuman)
- Plantago nutans (Poir.)
- Plantago lanceolata subvar. lasiophylla (Pilg.)
- Plantago lanceolata var. eriophora ((Hoffmanns. & Link) Cout.)
- Plantago dubia (L.)
- Plantago ambigua (Guss.)
- Plantago eriophora (Hoffmanns. & Link)
- Plantago variabilis (Link ex Barnéoud)
- Plantago hungarica (Waldst. & Kit.)
- Plantago yezomaritima (Koidz.)
- Plantago lanceolata var. graminifolia (Wahlb.)
- Plantago elata (Steud.)
- Plantago schottii (Roem. & Schult.)
- Plantago timbalii (Jord.)
- Plantago lanceolata var. capitellata (W.D.J.Koch)
- Plantago lanceolata subvar. euryphylla (Pilg.)
- Plantago lanceolata f. lanuginosa ((Mert. & W.D.J.Koch) Bolzon)
- Plantago abyssinica (Hochst. ex A.Br.)
- Plantago lanceolata subsp. lanuginosa ((Mert. & W.D.J.Koch) Arcang.)
- Plantago lanceolata var. minima (Gaudin)
- Plantago irrigua (Fisch. ex Rchb.)
- Plantago lanceolata var. latifolia (Wimm. & Grab.)
- Plantago attenuata (Wall.)
- Plantago nigricans (Link ex Rchb.)
- Arnoglossum lanceolatum var. trinervium (Gray)
- Plantago lanuginosa (Bastard)
- Plantago lanceolata var. sphaerostachya (Mert. & W.D.J.Koch)
- Plantago japonica var. yezomaritima ((Koidz.) H.Hara)
- Plantago lanceolata subvar. sphaerostachya ((Mert. & W.D.J. Koch) Pilg.)
- Plantago lanceolata var. contigua (Menezes)
- Plantago leiopetala (Lowe)
- Plantago lanceolata var. timbalii ((Jord.) Gaut.)
- Plantago lanceolata f. macrostachya (Merino)
- Plantago lanceolata var. sylvatica (Mert. & W.D.J.Koch)
- Plantago lanceolata subvar. eurhiza ((W.D.J.Koch) Pilg.)
- Plantago preslii (Ten.)
- Lagopus lanceolatus ((L.) Fourr.)
- Plantago byzantina (K.Koch)
- Plantago fontis-curvae (Kom.)
- Plantago media var. prolifera (Roth)
- Plantago flexuosa (Gaudin ex Rapin)
- Plantago lanceolata var. minor (Schltdl.)
- Plantago lanceolata f. composita (Farw.)
- Plantago lanceolata var. alpina (Gaudin)
- Plantago azorica (Hochst. ex Seub.)
- Plantago lanceolata var. erecta (Schltdl.)
- Plantago sphaerostachys (Hegetschw.)
- Plantago kurdica (Vatke)
- Plantago orientalis (Stapf)
- Arnoglossum lanceolatum var. roseum (Gray)
- Plantago lanceolata var. capitata ((Ten.) Cout.)
- Plantago major f. yezomaritima ((Koidz.) Ohwi)
- Plantago lanceolata f. bifurca (Merino)
- Plantago mediterranea (Strobl)
- Plantago lanceolata var. multinervia (Merino)
- Plantago glauca (C.A.Mey.)
- Plantago contorta (Guss.)
- Plantago lanceolata subsp. capitata (Retz.)
- Plantago sphaerostachya ((Mert. & W.D.J.Koch) A.Kern.)
- Plantago lanceolata var. polystachia (Boenn.)
- Plantago lanceolata var. maritima (Godr.)
- Lagopus timbali (Fourr.)
- Arnoglossum lanceolatum ((L.) Gray)
- Plantago glabriflora (Sakalo)
- Plantago longistipes (Royle ex Barnéoud)
- Plantago succisa (Lyons)
- Plantago trinervis (Mazziari)
- Plantago capitata (Ten.)
- Plantago lanceolata subsp. altissima (Retz.)
- Plantago longiscapa (Mazziari)
- Plantago lanceolata var. lanuginosa (Bluff & Fingerh.)
Distribution
- Afghanistan (native)
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Austria (native)
- Azores (native)
- Baleares (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Canary Is. (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- China North-Central (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Corse (native)
- Cyprus (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East Aegean Is. (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- East Himalaya (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Føroyar (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Iceland (native)
- Iran (native)
- Iraq (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Italy (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Kirgizstan (native)
- Kriti (native)
- Krym (native)
- Kuwait (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Libya (native)
- Madeira (native)
- Manchuria (native)
- Mauritania (native)
- Mongolia (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Nepal (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Norway (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Palestine (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Saudi Arabia (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Tadzhikistan (native)
- Taiwan (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Turkmenistan (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Uzbekistan (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Xinjiang (native)
- Yemen (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Alabama (introduced)
- Alaska (introduced)
- Altay (introduced)
- Amsterdam-St.Paul Is (introduced)
- Argentina Northeast (introduced)
- Argentina Northwest (introduced)
- Argentina South (introduced)
- Arizona (introduced)
- Arkansas (introduced)
- Ascension (introduced)
- Bahamas (introduced)
- Bermuda (introduced)
- Bolivia (introduced)
- Botswana (introduced)
- Brazil South (introduced)
- Brazil Southeast (introduced)
- British Columbia (introduced)
- California (introduced)
- Cape Provinces (introduced)
- Chile Central (introduced)
- Chile North (introduced)
- Chile South (introduced)
- Colombia (introduced)
- Colorado (introduced)
- Connecticut (introduced)
- Cook Is. (introduced)
- Costa Rica (introduced)
- Crozet Is. (introduced)
- Cuba (introduced)
- Delaware (introduced)
- Desventurados Is. (introduced)
- District of Columbia (introduced)
- Djibouti (introduced)
- Dominican Republic (introduced)
- Easter Is. (introduced)
- Ecuador (introduced)
- Egypt (introduced)
- Eritrea (introduced)
- Ethiopia (introduced)
- Falkland Is. (introduced)
- Florida (introduced)
- Free State (introduced)
- French Guiana (introduced)
- Gabon (introduced)
- Georgia (introduced)
- Greenland (introduced)
- Haiti (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- Idaho (introduced)
- Illinois (introduced)
- Indiana (introduced)
- Iowa (introduced)
- Jamaica (introduced)
- Japan (introduced)
- Juan Fernández Is. (introduced)
- Kamchatka (introduced)
- Kansas (introduced)
- Kentucky (introduced)
- Kenya (introduced)
- Kerguelen (introduced)
- Khabarovsk (introduced)
- Korea (introduced)
- Krasnoyarsk (introduced)
- Kuril Is. (introduced)
- KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
- Leeward Is. (introduced)
- Lesotho (introduced)
- Louisiana (introduced)
- Magadan (introduced)
- Maine (introduced)
- Malawi (introduced)
- Marion-Prince Edward (introduced)
- Maryland (introduced)
- Masachusettes (introduced)
- Mexico Northeast (introduced)
- Mexico Northwest (introduced)
- Mexico Southwest (introduced)
- Michigan (introduced)
- Minnesota (introduced)
- Mississippi (introduced)
- Missouri (introduced)
- Montana (introduced)
- Namibia (introduced)
- Nebraska (introduced)
- Nevada (introduced)
- New Brunswick (introduced)
- New Caledonia (introduced)
- New Hampshire (introduced)
- New Jersey (introduced)
- New Mexico (introduced)
- New York (introduced)
- New Zealand North (introduced)
- Newfoundland (introduced)
- Niue (introduced)
- Norfolk Is. (introduced)
- North Carolina (introduced)
- North Dakota (introduced)
- Northern Provinces (introduced)
- Nova Scotia (introduced)
- Ohio (introduced)
- Oklahoma (introduced)
- Ontario (introduced)
- Oregon (introduced)
- Panamá (introduced)
- Pennsylvania (introduced)
- Peru (introduced)
- Primorye (introduced)
- Prince Edward I. (introduced)
- Puerto Rico (introduced)
- Québec (introduced)
- Rhode I. (introduced)
- Rwanda (introduced)
- Sakhalin (introduced)
- Society Is. (introduced)
- South Carolina (introduced)
- South Dakota (introduced)
- Sri Lanka (introduced)
- St.Helena (introduced)
- Sudan (introduced)
- Tanzania (introduced)
- Tasmania (introduced)
- Tennessee (introduced)
- Texas (introduced)
- Tonga (introduced)
- Tristan da Cunha (introduced)
- Tuamotu (introduced)
- Tubuai Is. (introduced)
- Uruguay (introduced)
- Utah (introduced)
- Venezuela (introduced)
- Vermont (introduced)
- Virginia (introduced)
- Washington (introduced)
- West Virginia (introduced)
- Windward Is. (introduced)
- Wisconsin (introduced)
- Wyoming (introduced)
- Zaïre (introduced)
- Zimbabwe (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken May 22, 2017 by isabelle ferré (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 15, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 18, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 14, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 15, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Feb 8, 2019 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 30, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 18, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 27, 2018 by Juan I Deán (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 31, 2020 by Pl@ntNet (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jan 14, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 10, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 30, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 30, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 22, 2017 by isabelle ferré (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Mar 21, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 28, 2020 by Francinne CEULEMANS (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 12, 2021 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 15, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 10, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jun 7, 2019 by Mevi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 15, 2019 by alain Herbuel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 18, 2021 by J B (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 25, 2020 by Michael Hansen (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 28, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jul 18, 2021 by Wouter (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 15, 2021 by Torres Pedro (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 11, 2019 by Enno Huttenga (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 18, 2020 by Nele Lena (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 14, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:321285-2)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8208358)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Plantago lanceolata L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 6.5
Ph minimum: 5.5
Light: 7
Atmospheric humidity: 4
Soil nutriments: 6