SafePlants

Coast Plantain (Plantago elongata) and Other Plantain Varieties

This page explores various plants referred to as "plantain," including Coast Plantain (Plantago elongata) and other related species. Note that this is distinct from the plantain that is a relative of the banana.

Considerations for Pets

• Some plantain varieties are found in coastal areas, suggesting potential exposure to salty environments, which might affect palatability or attractiveness to animals.

Considerations for Children

• Mention of "100 seeds" may present a choking hazard for young children.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Plantago elongata (Coast Plantain)
• Family: Plantaginaceae (Plantain Family)
• Other Scientific Names/Subspecies:
  • Plantago major (Broadleaf Plantain, Common Plantain)
  • Plantago lanceolata (Narrowleaf Plantain, Ribwort Plantain)
  • Plantago maritima (Goose Tongue Plantain)
  • Plantago subnuda (Tall Coastal Plantain)
  • Plantago bigelovii subsp. bigelovii (Coast Plantain)
  • Plantago bigelovii subsp. californica
  • Plantago coronopus (Buckhorn Plantain)

Distribution and Habitat

• Several plantain species are native to the coasts of the US, both Atlantic and Pacific.
• Alaska plantain thrives in moist habitats like meadows, shorelines, tidal marshes, and bogs at low elevations.
• Seaside plantain grows on sandy and gravelly beaches, as well as in salt marshes. It's common in coastal British Columbia.
• Narrowleaf Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) was introduced from Eurasia and can be found along the northern California coast.

Morphological Characteristics

• Common Plantain is a perennial with leafless stalks, which can grow up to 30 cm in height.
• Some varieties, like Viper's-bugloss with Ribwort Plantain, form a rosette of leaves in the first year before producing a flower spike.

Ecological Role

• Narrowleaf plantain (Plantago lanceolata) was introduced from Eurasia.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• The text mentions nematodes associated with plantain in the Ivory Coast.
• Banana mild mosaic virus can infect plantain.

Culinary Uses

• Plantains (related to bananas, specifically Musa species) are a staple food in many parts of the world.
• In the Ivory Coast, plantains are the second most consumed food.
• Plantains are used to make dishes such as aloco (fried plantains with onion-tomato sauce) in the Ivory Coast.
• Fried plantains are a common street food in many African countries, including Nigeria, Cameroon, Liberia, and the Ivory Coast.

Quirky Facts

• The U.S. Coast Guard held a "Chopped" Culinary Competition using plantains as an ingredient.

Further Information

• Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS)
• uBio