Hare-foot plantain (Plantago lagopus, Sp. pl. 1:114. 1753)

Family: Plantaginaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. pl. 1:114. 1753

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Plantago

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, Medit. to W. Pakistan

Description

The Hare-foot plantain, known scientifically as Plantago lagopus, is a fascinating member of the Plantaginaceae family. This species can be found thriving across a diverse range of habitats, extending from the Macaronesian islands through the Mediterranean region and reaching as far as western Pakistan.

Distinguished by its unique morphology, Plantago lagopus has gained its common name due to the distinctive, furry appearance of its inflorescence that resembles a hare’s foot. The plant produces a dense spike of flowers which are encased in soft, hair-like structures, giving it a unique texture and appearance in contrast to other members of the Plantaginaceae family.

Plantago lagopus was first described by Carl Linnaeus, with its official description appearing in the seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753. The species’ wide distribution is indicative of its adaptability to different environmental conditions, from coastal areas to inland regions, making it a subject of interest for botanists and ecologists alike.

The plant is often studied for its ecological role within these regions. It can be used as a bioindicator to understand the health of the ecosystems where it resides. Additionally, like many plantains, species of Plantago have been used in traditional medicine, which adds another layer of interest to the study of Plantago lagopus.

Due to its widespread presence and unique characteristics, the Hare-foot plantain continues to be an important plant for research in fields ranging from botany to environmental science, providing insight into both the adaptability of plant species and the health of the ecosystems they inhabit.

Common Names

Deu: hasenfuß-wegerich
Dan: sydeuropæisk vejbred
Eng: hare-foot plantain, hare’s-foot plantain
Swe: vitkämpar
En: Hare-foot plantain, Hare’s-foot Plantain
Ar: ودنه (وِدْنَه)
Da: Sydeuropæisk vejbred
Fr: Pied-de-lièvre, Plantain pied-de-lièvre, Courtine, Patte-de-lièvre, Plantain queue de lièvre
De: Hasenfuß-Wegerich
He: לחך מצוי
It: Piantaggine pié-di-lepre
Es: Lengua de perro
Sv: Vitkämpar

Synonyms

• Plantago lagopus f. melanocephala ((Font Quer) Knoche)
• Plantago lagopus subvar. melanocephala ((Font Quer) Pilg.)
• Plantago lagopus var. melanocephala (Font Quer)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Cape Verde (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Kuwait (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Western Sahara (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

© 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 12, 2018 by Ferrando Josep (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 8, 2021 by Eloísa Romero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 27, 2021 by Angelos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 6, 2022 by joseronchel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2019 by Javier Marimón (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 17, 2022 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 4, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2011 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 2, 2022 by Bono José (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 10, 2020 by Cerdán David (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Feb 21, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Patrick LEBOULENGER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2022 by Lisa Giovannoli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 11, 2022 by Georgia C (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2022 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 4, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 29, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 29, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 28, 2019 by Alfredo Marín Camacho (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 28, 2021 by Villena Rojas Marcelo (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2021 by Sergio costantini (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 11, 2021 by Gervais Théo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 23, 2020 by Juan José Escobar Mora (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 14, 2020 by Malek Mebarki (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude CALAIS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2021 by Manuel Barón (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 7, 2022 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 25, 2018 by santos aznar montalt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2022 by Stephanie M (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2021 by Nuria Blanco (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2022 by Lisa Giovannoli (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8022932)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:685306-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Plantago lagopus L.)

Specifications

Growth