Buck’s-horn plantain (Plantago coronopus, Sp. Pl.: 115 (1753))

Family: Plantaginaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 115 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Plantago

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to C. Asia and W. Pakistan, Macaronesia to Arabian Pen.

Description

Buck’s-horn plantain, known scientifically as Plantago coronopus, is a fascinating species of flowering plant within the Plantaginaceae family. This plant is indigenous to a broad geographical region, stretching from Europe and Central Asia to Western Pakistan. Additionally, it can be found in Macaronesia and extending to the Arabian Peninsula.

Noted for its unique rosette of deeply divided and grey-green leaves, Buck’s-horn plantain adds a distinctive texture to the environments it inhabits. The leaves resemble the horns of a buck, which is the inspiration behind its common name. This plant typically thrives in coastal regions and sandy soils, though it is versatile enough to prosper in diverse habitats, including agricultural landscapes and roadsides.

Flowering in the late spring to early summer, Plantago coronopus produces inconspicuous, tiny, greenish flowers arranged in dense, spike-like inflorescences. While the flowers themselves may not be particularly showy, they play a significant role in the lifecycle of the plant and contribute to its reproductive success. As a wind-pollinated species, Buck’s-horn plantain does not rely on insects for pollination, which is advantageous in the open and often windswept environments it occupies.

First described in the seminal botanical work “Species Plantarum” by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, Plantago coronopus has been the subject of various botanical studies, illustrating its adaptability and ecological importance. Its presence across a wide range of territories underscores its resilience and the role it plays in various ecosystems.

The medicinal and culinary uses of Buck’s-horn plantain have also been explored historically and continue to be of interest today. The young leaves are edible and have been used in salads, offering a mildly bitter taste that can complement a variety of dishes. Medicinally, like other species within the Plantago genus, it has been used in traditional medicine for its purported anti-inflammatory and healing properties.

In summary, Buck’s-horn plantain (Plantago coronopus) is a remarkable plant with a distinct appearance and a wide native range. Its adaptability to various environments, along with its botanical and medicinal significance, makes it a noteworthy member of the Plantaginaceae family.

Common Names

Eng: buckhorn plantain, buck’s-horn plantain, cut-leaved plantain
Dan: fliget vejbred
Deu: krähenfusswegerich, krähenfuß-wegerich, schlitzblättriger wegerich
Pol: babka pierzasta
Hun: csókalábú útifű
Nob: flikkjempe
Nno: flikkjempe
Nld: hertshoornweegbree
Ces: jitrocel vraní nožka
Fin: liuskaratamo
Swe: liuskaratamo, strandkämpar, kråksutt
Fra: plantain corne de cerf, plantain corne-de-cerf, corne de cerf, pied de corbeau
Ara: wedaina
Cym: corn y carw, dail llwynhidl, efa, erllyriad, henllydan, llwyn y neidr, llwynhidydd corn carw, llydan y ffordd, llyriad corn carw, llyriad corn y carw, llyriaid corn carw, llys efa, seren y ddaear
Gla: adharca fia
Tur: karga ayagi
Kat: მრავალძარღვა
En: Buck’s-horn plantain, Buckhorn plantain, Star of the earth, Staghorn plantain, Buck-Horn Plantain, Cut-leaved plantain
Ar: Wedaina, ودينه (وِدِينه), لسان الحمل القرني
Eu: Izar-plantain
Bg: Перестолистен живовлек
Ca: Cervina, Cornicelis
Kw: Les hynsledan yorgh
Cs: Jitrocel vraní nožka
Da: Fliget Vejbred
Nl: Hertshoornweegbree
Fi: Liuskaratamo
Fr: Plantain corne de cerf, Plantain corne-de-cerf, Corne de cerf, Pied de corbeau, Pied-de-corneille, Plantain corne-de-bœuf, Pied-de-corbeau
Ka: Მრავალძარღვა
De: Krähenfuss-Wegerich, Krähenfusswegerich, Krähenfuß-Wegerich, Schlitzblättriger Wegerich, Krähenfußblättrige Wegerich
Hu: Csókalábú útifű
It: Barba di cappucino, Piantaggine Barbarella, Piantaggine barbatella
Li: Hirtshäörewaegbrei
No: Flikkjempe
Nb: Flikkjempe
Nn: Flikkjempe
Fa: بارهنگ پاکلاغی
Pl: Babka pierzasta
Ru: Koronopus, Подорожник оленерогий
Gd: Adharca fia
Es: Estrellamar
Sv: Strandkämpar, Liuskaratamo, Kråksutt
Tr: Karga ayagi
Uk: Подорожник перистий
Cy: Llyriad corn carw, Corn y Carw, Dail Llwynhidl, Efa, Erllyriad, Henllydan, Llwyn y Neidr, Llwynhidydd Corn Carw, Llydan y Ffordd, Llyriad Corn y Carw, Llyriaid Corn Carw, Llys Efa, Seren y Ddaear

Synonyms

• Coronopus vulgaris (Fourr.)
• Plantago stellaris (Salisb.)
• Plantago lacustris (De Cresp.)
• Plantago macrorhiza subsp. occidentalis (Pilg.)
• Plantago coronopus f. lanigera (Merino)
• Plantago coronopus subvar. integrata ((Godr.) Pilg.)
• Plantago coronopus var. crithmifolia (Willk.)
• Asterogeum laciniatum (Gray)
• Plantago coronopus var. rifensis (Sennen)
• Plantago coronopus var. tenuis ((Hoffmanns. & Link) Samp.)
• Plantago coronopus var. pseudomacrorhiza (Cout.)
• Plantago coronopus f. tenuis ((Hoffmanns. & Link) Pilg.)
• Plantago coronopus var. pilosa (Merino)
• Plantago coronopus f. villosissima (Sennen)
• Plantago coronopus var. villosissima (Sennen)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Corse (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Kuwait (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Selvagens (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Western Sahara (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Greenland (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Dec 4, 2021 by p christine (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 9, 2021 by Marysia Kay (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 25, 2020 by Dominique carbonell (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (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.

Flower

Taken Apr 9, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 28, 2021 by Prieta Javier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 28, 2020 by lxndr (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 28, 2021 by Prieta Javier (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 3, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 28, 2021 by Prieta Javier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 9, 2021 by Marysia Kay (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 9, 2022 by Patrice Nodet (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 27, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2021 by isabelle dufresne (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 23, 2019 by Alain Lagrave (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 5, 2018 by Kadda Chouhim (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 11, 2020 by Christophe Christophe (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 13, 2020 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 2, 2021 by Avivar Laura (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Feb 28, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 28, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 16, 2017 by Matesanz Ángel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 16, 2017 by Matesanz Ángel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 28, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3189739)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:685048-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Plantago coronopus L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 4

Soil salinity: 4