Identifying Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata)

Take great care when identifying wild plants and fungi, this blog is not a resource to be taken by itself and further resources will be linked. Consult other sources and double check. While foraging is an extremely rewarding and useful skill, numerous common plants and fungi can make you sick or kill you. Be absolutely sure of what you’re eating and, when gathering, ensure you leave enough not only to ensure the survival and growth of the species but also enough for others to enjoy, from the human and more-than-human communities. Also cultivate an awareness of contamination and pollution – wastewater runoff, spraying, exhaust fumes – as this should affect your decision to harvest.

The Plant

Plantago lanceolata is a prolific edible “weed” from the plantain (Plantaginaceae) family. It is native to Eurasia but has spread to North America and Oceania and grows throughout New Zealand on disturbed and cultivated land, such as farms, gardens, parks, and river banks. Ribwort plantain thrives in poor soil conditions and tolerates sun and shade. The word Plantago is derived from the Latin word planta meaning “young plant” or “sole of the foot”, possibly referring to plantains flat appearance when young. The word lanceolata translates to “lance” or “spear” which describes the narrow shape and pointed tip of ribworts leaves.

Description

Ribwort plantain is a perennial “weed” and is also referred to as narrow-leaf plantain as it’s leaves are narrow and tapered compared to broad-leaf plantain. The leaves are generally a vibrant medium green that grow as a rosette and are long, narrow, and pointed at the end. The leaves have 3-5 parallel ribs/veins which run down the leaves and they stand erect and tall, growing up to 20cm long when mature. The stems can grow up to 30-40cm tall and are square and covered in hairs. Tiny white flowers grow from a stubby brown inflorescence during the summer months. Ribwort plantain has a root crown just below the rosette of leaves and many smaller roots off of that. Plantain is wind pollinated though sometimes pollinated by bees.

Ecology

I have come across Plantago lanceolata in the North and South Islands of New Zealand. It appears to grow best in poor soil that has been disturbed by domesticated farm animals but can be found in most gardens and parks around the country. Ribwort plantain seeds prolifically and will often crop up next to each other and the leaves are available to harvest all year round.

Nutritional/Medicinal Information

The bud of plantain increases the health of the gastrointestinal tract as it stimulates gastric mucous secretion and encourages better digestion. Flavonoids and other beneficial compounds in plantain have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. Plantains are also high in beta-carotene (vitamin A) and silica. Plantain is sometimes referred to as “snakeweed” due to it’s ability to draw poison out of a wound and has been used to treat snake bites. You can chew up a couple of leaves and apply the poultice on any stings, bites, or splinters to draw out the toxins and encourage healing. This is also effective for skin conditions such as eczema. The seeds/husks of the plantain plant is a great source of fibre and can act as a mild laxative, similar to psyllium husks.

Possible Lookalikes

Broadleaf plantain (Plantago major) is another common species of plantain which is also edible. The primary difference is that this plantain has broad, rounder leaves compared with the narrow leaves of ribwort plantain.

Swamp plantain (Plantago australis) has narrow leaves but they are waxier and grow as a tighter, flatter rosette. This plantain is also edible.

Interesting Facts

Plantain was brought to New Zealand by early settlers and was called “Englishman’s Foot” as it sprung up wherever the white colonisers settled.

Alexander the Great used plantain to cure his headaches.

Plantago lanceolata has been found in Norway from the early Neolithic period onwards and is considered an indicator species for animal domestication and grazing habits from that time.

Storage & Cooking

For the best tasting (least bitter) plantain, pick the leaves while they are young and boil or sauté to use as a spinach or other greens substitute. Young leaves are also great chopped up in salads. The raw flower buds are thought to taste similar to mushrooms and are also good in salads. Older plantain leaves work well blended in soups or baked as crisps. The seeds and husks work well as a psyllium husk substitute.

Fresh and young Plantago lanceolata is delicious in salads, pasta sauces, and soups. Enjoy my fellow foragers!

Further Reading

iNaturalist

Herb Federation of New Zealand

Massey University

Wild Food UK

New Zealand Plant Conservation Network