Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Lamiales
Genus:
Species:
africana
ID:
1095727

Status:
valid

Authors:
Verdc.

Source:
tro

Year:
1969

Citation Micro:
Kew Bull. 23: 507 (1969)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0001095065

Common Names

  • African Plantain
  • Plantain of Africa
  • African Plantain

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Description

Plantago africana (also called African plantain, among many other common names) is a low-growing, perennial herbaceous plant native to Africa. It has a basal rosette of leaves with long, narrow, pointed tips. It grows in dry, sandy soils, and is often found in disturbed areas.

Uses & Benefits

Plantago africana is used as a medicinal plant and has been used to treat skin diseases, asthma, and respiratory diseases. It is also used as a food source and as a source of fiber.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

The flowers of Plantago africana are small, with five white petals and a yellow center. The seeds are small, black, and glossy. The seedlings are small and have a rosette of leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Plantago africana is a small annual herb native to Africa. It is cultivated for its edible leaves, which are used as a vegetable. The plant is propagated by seed, which should be sown in early spring in a sunny location. The seeds should be lightly covered with soil and kept moist until germination occurs. The seedlings should be thinned to a spacing of 15-20 cm (6-8 in) apart.

Where to Find Plantago africana

Plantago africana is found in Africa.

Species in the Plantago genus

Plantago unibracteata, Plantago varia, Plantago trichophora, Plantago tunetana, Plantago turficola, Plantago turrifera, Plantago tomentosa, Plantago triandra, Plantago akkensis, Plantago afra, Plantago albicans, Plantago algarbiensis, Plantago hispida, Plantago indica, Plantago incisa, Plantago malato-belizii, Plantago major, Plantago maris-mortui, Plantago maritima, Plantago media, Plantago mauritanica, Plantago maxima, Plantago laxiflora, Plantago lanigera, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago leucophylla, Plantago libyca, Plantago loeflingii, Plantago linearis, Plantago litorea, Plantago palustris, Plantago palmata, Plantago papuana, Plantago paradoxa, Plantago ovata, Plantago podlechii, Plantago polita, Plantago popovii, Plantago princeps, Plantago phaeostoma, Plantago picta, Plantago multiscapa, Plantago montisdicksonii, Plantago moorei, Plantago minuta, Plantago mohnikei, Plantago monosperma, Plantago mixta, Plantago notata, Plantago obconica,

Species in the Plantaginaceae family

Acanthorrhinum ramosissimum, Adenosma annamense, Adenosma bracteosum, Adenosma camphoratum, Adenosma cordifolium, Adenosma debilis, Adenosma elsholtzioides, Adenosma glutinosum, Adenosma hirsutum, Adenosma indianum, Adenosma inopinatum, Adenosma javanicum, Adenosma macrophyllum, Adenosma malabaricum, Adenosma microcephalum, Adenosma muelleri, Adenosma nelsonioides, Adenosma papuana, Adenosma punctata, Adenosma retusilobum, Adenosma subrepens, Adenosma ternata, Adenosma thorelii, Agathelpis adunca, Agathelpis brevifolia, Agathelpis mucronata, Albraunia foveopilosa, Albraunia fugax, Albraunia psilosperma, Anamaria heterophylla, Anarrhinum bellidifolium, Anarrhinum corsicum, Anarrhinum duriminium, Anarrhinum forsskaolii, Anarrhinum fruticosum, Anarrhinum intermedium, Anarrhinum laxiflorum, Anarrhinum longipedicellatum, Anarrhinum orientale, Anarrhinum pedatum, Anarrhinum forskaohlii, Ancistrostylis harmandii, Angelonia acuminatissima, Angelonia alternifolia, Angelonia angustifolia, Angelonia arguta, Angelonia biflora, Angelonia bisaccata, Angelonia blanchetii, Angelonia campestris,

References

Bernard Verdcourt (1925-2011): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Verdc.' in the authors string.
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:684831-1: Govaerts R (ed.). 2023. WCVP: World Checklist of Vascular Plants [Version 11]. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. [WWW document] URL http://sftp.kew.org/pub/data-repositories/WCVP/ [accessed 20 April 2023].