Hoary plantain (Plantago media, Sp. Pl.: 113 (1753))

Family: Plantaginaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 113 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Plantago

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Russian Far East and Iran

Description

Hoary plantain, known scientifically as Plantago media, is a remarkable herbaceous plant admired for its unique characteristics and widespread presence. First documented by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753, this species has captivated the interest of botanists and gardeners alike.

Belonging to the Plantaginaceae family, hoary plantain thrives across a vast geographical range, from the diverse landscapes of Europe extending to the Russian Far East and Iran. This adaptability is a testament to the resilience and varied habitat preferences of the species.

Characterized by its rosette of broad, oval leaves that are covered in fine hairs, hoary plantain plants are easily identified by their prominent central flower spike. This spike is adorned with numerous tiny, pale-colored flowers, which bloom from late spring to early summer. The plant’s distinct hoariness, or downy white hairs, is where it derives its common name.

Hoary plantain typically inhabits meadows, roadside verges, and grasslands, reflecting its preference for well-drained soils and sunny to partly shaded conditions. Its ecological role and adaptability make it an important component in its native range, contributing to the biodiversity and stability of the habitats it occupies.

Despite its unassuming appearance, Plantago media has historically been valued in herbal medicine, known for its potential soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. This adds a fascinating dimension to the plant, blending botanical interest with traditional medicinal uses.

In conclusion, hoary plantain (Plantago media) is a vital and fascinating species within the Plantaginaceae family, appreciated not only for its ecological role and widespread adaptability but also for its distinctive botanical features and historical significance.

Common Names

Dan: dunet vejbred
Eng: hoary plantain
Deu: mittlerer wegerich
Nob: dunkjempe
Nno: dunkjempe
Fra: plantain moyen, plantain bâtard
Nld: ruige weegbree
Swe: rödkämpar, soikkoratamo, kämpegroblad
Fin: soikkoratamo
Nor: soutunge
Sme: uvjolasta, ruksesgovdalasta
Cym: llwynhidydd blewog, llwynhidydd llwyd, llyriad llwyd, llyriaid llwyd, tafod yr oen
En: Hoary plantain, Lamb’s-tongue, Sweet Plantain
Ar: آذان الشاة, آذان الغزال, أذن الشاة, لسان الحمل الصغير
Az: Ortaboy bağayarpağı, Plantago media var. monnieri
Be: Трыпутнік сярэдні
Bg: Среден живовлек
Ca: Plantatge mitjà
Zh: 北车前
Cs: Jitrocel prostřední
Da: Dunet Vejbred
Nl: Ruige weegbree
Et: Keskmine teeleht
Fi: Soikkoratamo
Fr: Plantain bâtard, Plantain intermédiaire, Plantain moyen, Plantain blanc, Langue-d’agneau
De: Mittlerer Wegerich, Mittel-Wegerich
Hu: Réti útifű
It: Piantaggine pelosa
Li: Ruge waegbrei
Lt: Plaukuotasis gyslotis
Se: Uvjolasta, Ruksesgovdalasta
No: Dunkjempe, Soutunge
Nb: Dunkjempe
Nn: Dunkjempe
Fa: پلانتاگو مدیا
Pl: Babka średnia
Pt-br: Tanchagem-média, Transagem-média
Ru: Подорожник средний
Sr: Средња боквица
Sk: Skorocel prostredný
Es: Alpiste borde, Hierba para dolores, Hierba para el sudor de pies, Hoja de lantén, Hoja de llantén, Hoja del antel, Lantel, Lantén, Llantel, Llanten medio, Llanten, Llantén blanquecino, Llantén mediano, Llantén medio, Llantén, Morro llitón, Plantaina
Sv: Rödkämpar, Kämpegroblad, Soikkoratamo
Tr: Beyaz sinirli ot
Uk: Подорожник середній
Cy: Llwynhidydd Blewog, Llwynhidydd Llwyd, Llyriad Llwyd, Llyriaid Llwyd, Tafod yr Oen

Synonyms

• Plantago media var. badalii ((Pau) Losa)
• Plantago media var. nevadensis (Willk.)
• Plantago media var. dentata (Rosén & Wahlenb.)
• Arnoglossum incanum (Gray)
• Plantago concinna (Salisb.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Chita (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Magadan (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Oct 15, 2022 by Dominik Muczyński (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2022 by Dominik Muczyński (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 8, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 10, 2021 by Joseph Dupont (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2018 by Marcos Rivas Campoamor (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 28, 2019 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2019 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2019 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2019 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2019 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 9, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 1, 2022 by Benoît Debelle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2020 by Sabaté Sant Jordi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2022 by Dominik Muczyński (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 20, 1904 by Tela Botanica − Anne-Marie GRIMAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 1854 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 18, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Oct 9, 2022 by Stefanie Pluta (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2022 by Stefanie Pluta (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Marcel ETIENNE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2020 by Kerstin Kerstin (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 4, 2022 by Didier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 14, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Loris STALPERS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 25, 2017 by Veronika Müller (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2021 by Sabin Poenariu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2020 by Roberto Dessì (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)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3189747)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:685411-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Plantago media L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]

Soil nutriments: 3