African plantain (Plantago afra, Sp. pl. ed. 2, 1:167. 1762)

Family: Plantaginaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. pl. ed. 2, 1:167. 1762

Year: 1762

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Plantago

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, Medit. to Pakistan and Arabian Pen. Sahara to Tanzania

Description

African plantain, scientifically known as Plantago afra, is a fascinating and widely distributed plant species that belongs to the Plantaginaceae family. First documented in 1762 by the eminent botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” (second edition, volume one, page 167), this plant has continued to capture the interest of botanists and plant enthusiasts alike.

Thriving in diverse environments, the African plantain showcases its resilience and adaptability. It is native to regions stretching from the Mediterranean basin to Pakistan and the Arabian Peninsula. Additionally, it is found extensively across the Macaronesian islands and as far south as the Sahara desert and Tanzania. This wide geographic range highlights the plant’s remarkable ability to prosper in varying climatic conditions and terrains.

Characterized by its rosette of narrow, lanceolate leaves, the African plantain is often recognized for its medicinal properties and ecological importance. It typically grows in well-drained soils and can be seen flourishing in both cultivated areas and wild landscapes. The plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers that form dense spikes, which are pollinated by wind and insects, ensuring the continued propagation of the species.

The African plantain is more than just a resilient survivor; it also plays a crucial role in traditional medicine and local ecosystems. In various cultures within its native range, parts of the plant are utilized for their purported healing properties, particularly in treating respiratory and digestive ailments.

In ecological terms, Plantago afra serves as a vital species within its habitat. It provides food and shelter for numerous insects and small animals, contributing to the overall biodiversity and stability of the ecosystems where it resides.

In summary, African plantain (Plantago afra) is a remarkable plant with a long-documented history and a broad geographic distribution. Its adaptability, medicinal uses, and ecological contributions underscore its significance within the plant world and its native regions.

Common Names

Eng: african plantain, glandular plantain, black psyllium, psyllium
Dan: afrikansk vejbred
Deu: flohkraut, flohsamen-wegerich, flohsamen-wegerich, afrikanischer w., scharzer flohsame
Spa: zaragatona
Por: erva-das-pulgas
Fra: herbes aux puces, pilicaire, plantain africain, psyllium
Ces: jitrocel blešníkový
Swe: loppfrö
Nld: vlozaad
Cym: llwynhidydd yr aderyn, llyriad chwarennog, llyriaid chwarennog
En: African plantain, Psyllium, Black psyllium, Glandular plantain, Flea-woet, Psyllion
Ar: قطونه (قُطونَة)، بزر قطونه
Ca: Herba pucera, Plantatge pucera, Saragatona
Cs: Jitrocel blešníkový
Da: Afrikansk vejbred
Nl: Vlozaad
Fr: Herbes aux puces, Plantain africain, Pilicaire, Psyllium, Plantain pucier, Herbe aux puces, Pucier, Plantain d’Inde, Œil de chien, Plantain toujours vert
De: Flohkraut, Scharzer Flohsame, Flohsamen-Wegerich, Flohsamen-Wegerich, Afrikanischer W., Floh-Wegerich, Afrikanischer W.
He: לחך בלוטי
It: Piantaggine pulicaria, Psillio
Pt: Erva-das-pulgas
Ru: Blošnaja trava
Es: Zaragatona
Sv: Loppfrö
Cy: Llwynhidydd yr Aderyn, Llyriad Chwarennog, Llyriaid Chwarennog

Synonyms

• Plantago psyllium var. sicula ((J.Presl & C. Presl) Samp.)
• Plantago psyllium var. dubia (Knoche)
• Psyllium afrum ((L.) Mirb.)
• Plantago psyllium var. bracteosa (Willk.)
• Plantago psyllium var. dentifolia (Willk.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Cape Verde (native)
• Chad (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Gulf States (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Niger (native)
• Oman (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Selvagens (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Somalia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Western Sahara (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 15, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 28, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Ans GORTER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2017 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 30, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 18, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 18, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2017 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 15, 2018 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 2, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2019 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 22, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Feb 28, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Errol Vela (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Errol VELA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Patrick LEBOULENGER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Patrick LEBOULENGER (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 14, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 28, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Ans GORTER (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 15, 2019 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2019 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2019 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 31, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2019 by Jesus Toledano (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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7303104)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:684830-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Plantago afra L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth