Plantago

Plantago alpina
Plantago coronopus - Buckshorn Plantain
Plantago indica - Branched Plantain
Plantago lanceolata - Ribwort Plantain
Plantago major - Greater Plantain
Plantago maritima - Sea Plantain
Plantago media - Hoary Plantain
Plantago psyllium - Sand Plantain
... and many more species
Ref: ITIS 32870

Plantago is a genus of small, inconspicuous plants commonly called plantains. They share this name with the very dissimilar plantain, a kind of banana. Leaves are sessile, but have a narrow part near the stem which is a pseudo-petiole. They have three or five parallel veins that diverge in the wider part of the leaf. Leaves are broad or narrow, depending on the species. Inflorescences are borne on stalks and can be a short cone or a long spike. The plants are typically 5-40 cm tall.

Common species are P. major, P. lanceolata, and P. psyllium.

Plantains are used as food plants by the larvae of certain species of Lepidoptera including Small Fan-footed Wave.

Uses

The herb is astringent , antitoxic , antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, as well as demulcent, expectorant and diuretic. Externally, a poultice of the leaves is useful for insect bites, poison ivy rashes, minor sores. In folklore it is even claimed to be able to cure snakebite (but at least for actually dangerous snakebites this is certainly untrue). Internally, it is used for coughs and broncitis, as a tea, tincture, or syrup. The broad-leaved varieties are sometimes used as a leaf vegetable for salads, green sauce , et cetera.

Plantain seed husks expand and become mucilaginous when wet, especially those of P. psyllium, which is used in common over-the-counter bulk laxative and fiber supplement products such as Metamucil. P. psyllium seed is useful for constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, dietary fiber supplementation, and diverticular disease. Recent research is also showing it to be promising in lowering cholesterol and controlling diabetes.