Narrow-Leafed Plantain

Plantago lanceolata L.

Symbol:

PLLA

Group:

Dicot

Family:

PLantaginaceae

Description:

Plantain is the general name for several small herbs used for their medicinal properties and more recently for forage. Species include Spanish psyllium or fleawort, Plantago psyillium; Indian or blood plantago, Plantago ovata Forsk; common plantain, Plantago major L., and narrow-leaved plantain, Plantago lanceolata L. https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/med-aro/factsheets/PLANTAIN.html

Plantago lanceolata L. is an herbaceous perennial herb species with a broad distribution in grasslands throughout the temperate world. The leaf is highly palatable to grazing animals, providing a mineral-rich forage. The species is rapid to establish, grows on a wide range of agricultural soils and is tolerant of drought and of many common diseases and pests. https://www.grassland.org.nz/publications/nzgrassland_publication_658.pdf

Identification Characteristics

Type:

Forb

Identification Characteristics:

Flowers are creamy-white, radially symmetrical, with 4 fused tepals (sepals and petals) and 4 long stamens. Flower stems are erect, furrowed, leafless, and up to 20 inches (50 cm) long. Fruit is 3-4 mm and splits open when ripe.

Climate and Soil Suitability Zones

Climate Tolerances:

[USDA Plant Hardiness zones 6a through 11b; Jan mean minimum of -10 °F, -23.3 °C); American Horticultural Society Heat Zones 1-9 (<150 days above 86 ˚F (30 C)]. Requires > 25 inches (635 mm) of precipitation or irrigation.

Soil Tolerances:

Best suited to moderately well-drained soil drainage classes but tolerates excessively drained through poorly drained soils. Tolerates very strongly acid to strongly alkaline soils (pH 4.5-9.0). Moderately sensitive of saline conditions (1.5-3 dS/m). Somewhat tolerant of water-soluble aluminum (persisted at 1-2 ppm Al3+).

Cultivars

Two productive upright cultivars of plantain were developed in New Zealand: ‘Grasslands Lancelot’ and the more erect winter-active ‘Ceres Tonic’. ‘Grasslands Lancelot’ was selected from North Island productive pastures for bushy growth habit and the ability to tiller strongly under close sheep grazing. The cultivar ‘Ceres Tonic’ was selected from germplasm believed to have originated from northern Portugal, a region with warm winters. It was selected for a very erect habit and very large leaves. ‘Ceres Tonic’ remains erect under a wide range of conditions while ‘Lancelot’ has the plasticity to become prostrate under close grazing.

Newer cultivars include ‘Agritonic’, ‘Boston’, ‘Captain’, ‘Ecotain’, ‘Oracle’, and ‘Tuatara’.

Quality and Antiquality Factors

Quality Factors:

Highly palatable, good quality feed. High mineral concentrations include copper, zinc, selenium, cobalt. Contains various secondary metabolites with recognized tonic and anti-biotic properties; these may benefit stock rumen microflora.

Anti-quality Factors:

No concerns about over-eating, bloat, or nitrates.