hoary plantain

plant

Also known as: Plantago media

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Last updated

June 29, 2026

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Hoary plantain (Plantago media) is a perennial plant native to Europe that has naturalized in North America. It is characterized by oval or oblong, hairy leaves and spikes of small, pinkish, scented flowers on leafless stems. Hoary plantain is considered a troublesome weed. It is also known as dwarf plantain, which can refer to other small plantain species like Plantago virginica or Plantago erecta. The genus Plantago typically features plants with basal leaves and leafless stalks bearing flower spikes.123

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Plantago
Ribwort and hoary plantain (P. lanceolata and P. media, respectively) are troublesome weeds. By contrast, psyllium and P. ovata have been useful in medical science; they produce mucilaginous seeds, which have been used, for example, in laxative preparations known as psyllium, ispaghul, or spogel seeds.
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Ribwort and hoary plantain (P. lanceolata and P. media, respectively) are troublesome weeds. By contrast, psyllium and P. ovata have been useful in medical science; they produce mucilaginous seeds, which have been used, for example, in laxative preparations known as psyllium, ispaghul, or spogel seeds.
Read More