Ribwort Plantain

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• English plantain
• lance-leaved plantain
• narrow-leaved plantain
• ribgrass
• ribwort plantain
• buckhorn
• buckhorn plantain
• narrow-leaf plantain
• ribwort
• German Psyllium
• Lamb's Tongue
• Narrow -Eaved Plantain
• Narrow-Leaved Ribwort
• Ripplegrass
• Small Plantain
• Wild Sago
• narrow leaf plantain
• narrow leaved plantain
• rib-grass
• ribleaf

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lagopus lanceolatus
• Plantago lanceolata var. eurhiza
• Plantago lanceolata f. lanuginosa
• Plantago lanceolata f. coarctata
• Plantago lanceolata var. montana
• Plantago lanceolata var. graminifolia
• Plantago lanceolata var. sylvatica
• Plantago lanceolata var. sphaerostachya
• Plantago lanceolata var. latifolia
• Plantago lanceolata var. minima
• Plantago glabriflora
• Plantago media var. prolifera
• Plantago sylvatica
• Plantago kurdica
• Plantago lanceolata var. capitata
• Plantago japonica var. yezomaritima
• Plantago hungarica
• Plantago lanceolata var. contigua
• Plantago major f. yezomaritima
• Plantago timbalii
• Plantago lanceolata var. eriophora
• Plantago lanceolata var. mediterranea
• Plantago trinervis
• Plantago mediterranea
• Arnoglossum lanceolatum var. trinervium
• Plantago lanceolata var. timbalii
• Plantago lanceolata subsp. eriophora
• Arnoglossum lanceolatum var. roseum
• Arnoglossum lanceolatum
• Plantago leiopetala
• Arnoglossum lanceolatum var. ramosum
• Plantago preslii
• Plantago lanceolata var. lanuginosa
• Plantago lanceolata var. erecta
• Plantago flexuosa
• Plantago lanceolata var. polystachia
• Plantago glauca
• Plantago lanceolata var. communis
• Plantago orientalis
• Plantago lanuginosa
• Plantago linkii
• Plantago nutans
• Plantago lanceolata var. minor
• Plantago fontis-curvae
• Plantago glareosa
• Plantago lanceolata var. alpina
• Plantago lanceolata var. hungarica
• Plantago elata
• Plantago lanceolata var. angustifolia
• Plantago dubia
• Plantago lanceolata var. capitellata
• Plantago yezomaritima
• Plantago lanceolata var. maritima
• Plantago lanceolata var. montana
• Plantago sphaerostachys
• Plantago lanceolata subsp. lanuginosa
• Plantago succisa
• Plantago variabilis
• Plantago lanceolata subsp. altissima
• Plantago lanceolata subsp. capitata
• Plantago pseudopatagonica
• Plantago lanceolata f. bifurca
• Plantago schottii
• Plantago lanceolata f. eriophora
• Plantago lanceolata subvar. lasiophylla
• Plantago contorta
• Plantago lanceolata f. macrostachya
• Plantago azorica
• Plantago lanceolata var. multinervia
• Plantago attenuata
• Plantago lanceolata f. pleiocephala
• Plantago ambigua
• Plantago lanceolata subvar. sphaerostachya
• Plantago eriophora
• Plantago orientalis var. lycia
• Plantago byzantina
• Plantago lanceolata var. bakeri
• Plantago lanceolata subvar. euryphylla
• Plantago lanceolata subvar. eurhiza
• Plantago lanceolata subvar. eriophora
• Plantago lanceolata f. composita
• Plantago lanceolata var. angustifolia
• Plantago lanceolata var. eriophylla
• Plantago lanceolata var. dubia
• Plantago abyssinica
• Lagopus timbalii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales, it is uniquely positioned in the family Plantaginaeae. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Plantago, where it is known as Plantago lanceolata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing within the borders of Denmark and Finland. Additionally, its presence is noted in the Faroe Islands, which are locally known as Føroyar. The species also inhabits the landscape of Great Britain. Finally, its geographical range extends to the island of Iceland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Plantago lanceolata is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse environments, particularly within anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) where human activity often shapes the landscape. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) to high-altitude regions reaching a maximum of 3000 m AMSL. Throughout its natural and disturbed ranges, it maintains a mean elevation of approximately 1700 m AMSL, demonstrating its capacity to thrive across a wide gradient of topographic and climatic conditions.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Life history

The life history of Plantago lanceolata is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. It functions as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or soil. In terms of its seasonal foliage, the species is classified as evergreen, maintaining its vegetative presence throughout various environmental conditions. This combination of a perennial lifecycle and a hemicryptophytic growth habit enables the plant to establish a stable presence in its habitat, utilizing its protected buds to regenerate annually.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Plantago lanceolata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, and it exists as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The species is strictly terrestrial, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant variation in size, with heights ranging from a minimum of 0.01 m to a maximum of 0.9 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.278 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.9 m

Plant height mean:

0.278333333333333 m

Plant height min:

0.01 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Plantago lanceolata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes. The plant exhibits a non-succulent morphology and is non-carnivorous, relying on traditional soil nutrient uptake rather than nitrogen fixation, as it is not a nitrogen fixer. Its vegetative structure is organized in a rosette leaf arrangement, featuring elliptic-shaped leaves that vary significantly in dimension. These leaves typically range in length from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 20 cm, with an average width of 2.7 cm, though widths can fluctuate between a minimum of 0.5 cm and a maximum of 3 cm. The leaf surface area maintains a mean size of 25.67 cm², contributing to a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 186.26 cm²/g, which reflects the plant's efficiency in balancing leaf mass with photosynthetic surface area.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf arrangement :

rosette

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

20 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf size mean:

25.67 cm²

Leaf width max:

3 cm

Leaf width mean:

2.7 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

186.26 cm²/g

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Plantago lanceolata is characterized by sexual processes through bisexual flowers, although asexual reproduction is absent. The flowering period typically begins in April and ends in April, featuring small, brown flowers that measure between 0.2 cm and 0.3 cm in length. These flowers are arranged in a spike inflorescence, which can vary in length from a minimum of 0.005 m to a maximum of 0.05 m. Pollination is primarily abiotic, utilizing wind as a major syndrome, though beetles also play a role. Self-fertilization is noted as absent in this species. Following successful pollination, the plant develops dry, dehiscence-type capsules as its fruit type. These capsules are relatively small, with a mean length of 0.3 cm (ranging from 0.25 to 0.4 cm) and a mean width of 0.225 cm (ranging from 0.18 to 0.22 cm). Each fruit is highly prolific, containing more than 1000 seeds. The seeds themselves are minute, with a mean mass of approximately 0.0014248 g (ranging from 0.00029 to 0.00202 g), a mean length of 2.5 mm (ranging from 2 to 3 mm), and a mean width of 0.8 to 1.5 mm. The mean seed volume is 2.2 mm³, with individual volumes ranging from 1.8 to 2.9 mm³. Dispersal is achieved through an anemochorous syndrome, meaning the seeds are primarily spread by the wind.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flower colour :

brown

Flower length max:

0.3 cm

Flower length min:

0.2 cm

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.4 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.3 cm

Fruit length min:

0.25 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width max:

0.22 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.225 cm

Fruit width min:

0.18 cm

Inflorescence :

spike

Inflorescence length max:

0.05 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.005 m

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

beetle

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length max:

3 mm

Seed length mean:

2.5 mm

Seed length min:

2 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00202 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00142481333333333 g

Seed mass min:

0.00029 g

Seed volume max:

2.9 mm³

Seed volume mean:

2.2 mm³

Seed volume min:

1.8 mm³

Seed width max:

1.5 mm

Seed width min:

0.8 mm

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Plantago lanceolata has 3 reported plant parts identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root, seed.

Leaf

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2. Revista medico-chirurgicala a Societatii de Medici si Naturalisti din Iasi
3. Electrophoresis
4. Fitoterapia
5. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

Root

1. Chemosphere

Seed

1. Revista medico-chirurgicala a Societatii de Medici si Naturalisti din Iasi

Chemicals

Plantago lanceolata has 39 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Acteoside, Aucubin, Plantamajoside, Catalpol, CU.

Acteoside

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
2. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
3. Planta medica
4. Phytochemistry
5. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Aucubin

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
2. Phytochemistry
3. Phytochemical analysis : PCA
4. Cells
5. Electrophoresis

Plantamajoside

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences
2. Planta medica
3. Phytochemistry
4. Electrophoresis
5. Journal of separation science

Catalpol

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
2. Phytochemistry
3. Phytochemical analysis : PCA
4. Electrophoresis

CU

1. Arhiv za higijenu rada i toksikologiju
2. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

MN

1. Arhiv za higijenu rada i toksikologiju
2. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

PB

1. Arhiv za higijenu rada i toksikologiju
2. Biological trace element research

4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID

1. Phytochemistry

4-Hydroxyphenyl acetic acid

1. Phytochemistry

Aflatoxin

1. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR

Activities

Plantago lanceolata has 2 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anthelmintic, Cytotoxic.

Anthelmintic

1. Experimental parasitology

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute

Conditions

Plantago lanceolata has 17 reported investigations on conditions identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include pollinosis, abiotic stress, aflatoxin, arthritis, breast cancer.

Pollinosis

1. Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology
2. Allergy

Abiotic stress

1. Environmental science and pollution research international

Aflatoxin

1. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR

Arthritis

1. Journal of inflammation research

Breast cancer

1. Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute

Cancer

1. Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute

Chronic pain

1. Journal of inflammation research

Common cold

1. Scientia pharmaceutica

Cough

1. Scientia pharmaceutica

Inflammation

1. Scientia pharmaceutica

Preparations

Plantago lanceolata has 9 reported preparations identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Herbmix, crude polysaccharides, ethanol extracts, ethanolic extracts, herbal products.

Herbmix

1. PloS one

Crude polysaccharides

1. Fitoterapia

Ethanol extracts

1. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR

Ethanolic extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Herbal products

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Hydroalcoholic extracts

1. Roumanian archives of microbiology and immunology

Leaf extracts

1. Electrophoresis

Methanol and ethyl acetate leaf extracts

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Pollen

1. Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology