Plantago maritima
| Plantago maritima | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Plantaginaceae |
| Genus: | Plantago |
| Species: | P. maritima
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| Binomial name | |
| Plantago maritima | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Plantago maritima, the sea plantain, seaside plantain or goose tongue, is a species of flowering plant in the plantain family Plantaginaceae. It has a subcosmopolitan distribution in temperate and Arctic regions, native to most of Europe, northwest Africa, northern and central Asia, northern North America, and southern South America.[3][4]
Description[edit]
It is a herbaceous perennial plant with a dense rosette of leaves without petioles. Each leaf is linear, 2–22 cm long and under 1 cm broad, thick and fleshy-textured, with an acute apex and a smooth or distantly toothed margin; there are three to five veins. The flowers are small, greenish-brown with brown stamens, produced in a dense spike 0.5–10 cm long on top of a stem 3–20 cm tall.[5][6][7]
Subspecies[edit]
There are four subspecies:[4][7]
- Plantago maritima subsp. maritima. Europe, Asia, northwest Africa.
- Plantago maritima subsp. borealis (Lange) A. Blytt and O. Dahl. Arctic regions. All parts of the plant small, compared to temperate plants.
- Plantago maritima subsp. juncoides (Lam.) Hultén. South America, North America (this name to North American plants has been questioned[7]).
- Plantago maritima subsp. serpentina (All.) Arcang. Central Europe, on serpentine soils in mountains.
Ecology and physiology[edit]
In much of the range it is strictly coastal, growing on sandy soils. In some areas, it also occurs in alpine habitats, along mountain streams.[5] Some of the physiology and metabolism of this species has been described, of particular note is how the metabolism of this species is altered with elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations.[8][9]
Uses[edit]
Like samphires, the leaves of the plant are harvested to be eaten raw or cooked.[10][11] The seeds are also eaten raw or cooked, and can be ground into flour.[10]
References[edit]
- ^ Maiz-Tome, L. (2016). "Plantago maritima". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T64320667A67730407. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T64320667A67730407.en. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Plantago maritima". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ "Plantago maritima". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
- ^ a b Flora Europaea: Plantago maritima
- ^ a b Blamey, M. & Grey-Wilson, C. (1989). Flora of Britain and Northern Europe. ISBN 0-340-40170-2
- ^ Plants of British Columbia: Plantago maritima
- ^ a b c Flora of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago: Plantago maritima
- ^ Davey, M. P.; Harmens, H.; Ashenden, T. W.; Edwards, R.; Baxter, R. (2007). "Species-specific effects of elevated CO2 on resource allocation in Plantago maritima and Armeria maritima". Biochemical Systematics and Ecology. 35 (3): 121. doi:10.1016/j.bse.2006.09.004.
- ^ Davey, M.; Bryant, D. N.; Cummins, I.; Ashenden, T. W.; Gates, P.; Baxter, R.; Edwards, R. (2004). "Effects of elevated CO2 on the vasculature and phenolic secondary metabolism of Plantago maritima". Phytochemistry. 65 (15): 2197–2204. Bibcode:2004PChem..65.2197D. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2004.06.016. PMID 15587703.
- ^ a b Plants for a Future, retrieved 9 November 2016
- ^ Seymour, Tom, Foraging New England: Edible wild food and medicinal plants from Maine to the Adirondacks to Long Island Sound, 2nd ed. (Guilford, Connecticut: Morris Book Publishing, 2013), pp. 2-4. See also: Seymour, Tom (June 2009), "Free Lunch: Foraging the Maine Seashore," Fishermen's Voice (Gouldsboro, Maine, U.S.A.).
External links[edit]
Media related to Plantago maritima at Wikimedia Commons
