Sea kemp (Plantago maritima, Sp. Pl.: 114 (1753))

Family: Plantaginaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 114 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Plantago

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to C. Asia, NW. Africa, Subarctic America to W. & NE. U.S.A., S. South America

Description

Sea kemp, scientifically known as Plantago maritima, is a fascinating perennial herb belonging to the Plantaginaceae family. Renowned for its ability to thrive in saline environments, this resilient plant is widely distributed across the globe. Originating from diverse regions, its natural habitats span from Europe to Central Asia, extending to Northwestern Africa. It can also be found in subarctic regions of America, and stretches into Western and Northeastern parts of the United States, as well as Southern South America.

Plantago maritima was first described in 1753 by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, a monumental figure in taxonomy. This plant’s historical roots in taxonomy mark it as a classic figure in botanic literature, highlighting its long-standing presence in the plant world.

Typically found in coastal areas, salt marshes, and saline meadows, sea kemp showcases remarkable adaptivity to high salt concentrations in soil. This robustness makes it an interesting subject of study for its ecological role in such challenging environments. The plant’s leaves are narrow and lanceolate, contributing to its unique appearance that distinguishes it from other species within the Plantaginaceae family.

Sea kemp plays a significant role in coastal ecosystems, often providing habitat and food for various insects and bird species. Apart from its ecological importance, its historical usage in traditional medicine across different cultures underscores its value. Various parts of the plant have been used in folk remedies, typically to treat digestive issues and skin irritations.

In conclusion, Sea kemp (Plantago maritima) stands out both for its remarkable adaptability to saline conditions and its extensive geographical spread. Its historical significance, ecological contributions, and medicinal uses make it a plant of notable interest among botanists and ecologists alike.

Common Names

Eng: goose tongue, sea kemp, sea plantain, seaside plantain, goosetongue, saltmarsh plantain, seashore plantain
Deu: strand-wegerich, strandwegerich
Dan: strand-vejbred
Pol: babka nadmorska
Swe: gulkämpar, meriratamo, sutt
Lav: jurmalas celmalite
Fin: meriratamo
Fra: plantain maritime, plantain joncoïde
Nor: strand-kaal
Nno: strandkjempe
Nob: strandkjempe
Nld: zeeweegbree
Sme: riddoskážir
Cym: bara-can y defaid, gwerog, llwynhidydd arfor, llyriad arfor, llyriad y defaid, llyriad y môr, llyriaid arfor, llyriaid y môr, mân y don, sampier y defaid
Tur: deniz sinirli otu
Gla: slánlus mara
En: Sea kemp, Sea plantain, Seaside plantain, Goose tongue, European Seaside Plantain, Martime Plantain, Pacific Seaside Plantain, Goosetongue, Saltmarsh plantain, Seashore plantain, Goose-tongue
Eu: Itsas plantain
Bg: Морски живовляк
Ca: Pedrenca marina
Zh: 沿海车前
Kw: Les hynsledan morva
Cs: Jitrocel přímořský
Da: Strand-Vejbred
Nl: Zeeweegbree
Et: Rand-teeleht
Fi: Meriratamo
Fr: Plantain maritime, Plantain joncoïde
De: Küsten-Wegerich, Küstenwegerich, Strand-Wegerich, Strandwegerich
Hu: Sziki útifű
Ga: Slánlus mara
It: Piantaggine delle argille, Piantaggine marittima
Lv: Jurmalas celmalite
Li: Strandjwaegbrei
Gv: Cabbag aalin
Se: Riddoskážir
No: Strandkjempe, Strand-kaal
Nb: Strandkjempe
Nn: Strandkjempe
Fa: بارهنگ دریایی
Pl: Babka nadmorska
Ru: Подорожник морской
Gd: Slánlus mara
Sr: Слатинска боквица
Sv: Gulkämpar, Meriratamo, Sutt
Tr: Deniz sinirli otu
Uk: Морський подорожник
Cy: Llyriad arfor, Bara-Can y Defaid, Gwerog, Llwynhidydd Arfor, Llyriad y Defaid, Llyriad y Môr, Llyriaid Arfor, Llyriaid y Môr, Mân y Don, Sampier y Defaid

Synonyms

• Plantago maritima var. vivipara (Lindstr.)
• Plantago maritima var. gentilis (Fr.)
• Planatgo serpentina (Retz.)
• Arnoglossum maritimum ((L.) Gray)
• Plantago maritima var. punctata (Neuman)
• Plantago maritima subsp. serpentina (Retz.)
• Plantaginella maritima ((L.) Fourr.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Alaska (native)
• Albania (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Aleutian Is. (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Argentina South (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Chile South (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krym (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Aug 13, 2021 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 16, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Patrick LEBOULENGER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2022 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 7, 2021 by Frozy

Taken Sep 8, 2018 by Isabelle Bellin (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 29, 2021 by Sam Vandenbussche (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2021 by Franco Colnago (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2022 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 7, 2021 by Frozy

Habit

Taken Jun 16, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 14, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Françoise CARLE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 14, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Françoise CARLE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2022 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 7, 2021 by Frozy

Flower

Taken Aug 20, 2022 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 13, 2020 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 13, 2020 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2020 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 8, 2018 by Isabelle Bellin (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 31, 1883 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (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/3189755)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30063012-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Plantago maritima L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Soil nutriments: 5

Soil salinity: 6