Leaves

A rosette of leaves 15–30 cm, exceptionally 70 cm in diameter. Each leaf is oval-shaped, 5–20 cm long and 4–9 cm wide, rarely up to 30 cm long and 17 cm wide, with an acute apex, a smooth margin, and a distinct petiole almost as long as the leaf itself. There are 5 to 9 distinct veins over the leaf.

Flowers

The flowers are small, greenish-brown with purple stamens, produced in a dense spike 5–15 cm long.

Seeds

Each flower can produce up to two seeds.

Stem

13 to 17cm long. No stem leaves.

Fruit

Taste

Slightly bitter, but with an amazing mushroom flavour.

Frequency & law

Very common and not restricted.

Possible confusion

Other members of the Plantain family, such as Greater, or buckshorn Plantain, but they are all edible and have similar uses.

Habitat

Native in Europe, including Britain, from Iceland south and east to Spain, northern and central Asia. Plantago majorcan live anywhere from very dry meadows to rain forests, but it does best in open, disturbed areas. It is common near roadsides where other plants cannot flourish.

How to harvest

Leaves come up from March, but can be hard to spot when so young. Flower from April to August. Seeds ripen from June to September.

Cooking tips

Gentle simmering of large quantities of the above ground parts makes a very strong, mushroom flavoured stock.

Other uses

Folklore

Called "White-man’s Foot" by Native Americans, who noticed it appearing only after European settlers arrived. Latin name Plantago stems from planta, meaning "sole of the foot," reflecting its ability to grow on paths.