<Alt Text 1 of 4> Today’s plant of the week takes us back to our roots. A few of you just tuning into to the Wild Harvest Digest might not remember these posts started by covering plants you can find in the wild that have some use to you be it as food, medicine or for some survival role. Well today we have one of those kinds of plants, but the best part is that it’s a cultivated cousin of a wild one you can find in a few places right here in Fayetteville. Today’s plant is Red Plantain and it is scientifically known as (Plantago major rubrifolia) and the botanical latin breaks down easily enough ‘Plantago’ comes from the classic latin of ‘planta’ or ‘sole of foot’ and ‘ago’ meaning ‘A sort of’. The specific epithet ‘major’ means ‘larger’ or ‘greater’ and ‘rubrifolia’ means red foliage. Everything in that name is straightforward and to the point which is refreshing when it comes to botanical Latin because often the names are nuanced in ways that confuse the casual reader. These Plantains which by the way are of no relation to the little Bananas (Musa acuminata) are native to Eurasia, and thus are non-native. There are species of Plantain that are native to the USA though and they include American Plantain (P. virginica), Rugel’s Plantain (P. rugelii) and California Plantain (P. erecta). <Alt Text 1 of 4>

<Alt Text 2 of 4> [Author's Note: Growing this from seed was a pain in the butt. I only got this one plant to grow and it is fabulous. Remember to surface sow the seed with at most a dusting of soil over and keep them moist in a humidity dome. it may take upwards of 20 days or more to get germination.] There are likely others that are native but Re- Leaf Plantain is a selected cultivar of the much more common Broadleaf Plantain (P. major). This herb is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 12b, and is considered an herbaceous perennial in some parts of the country while in 8b (Fayetteville), it may retain its leaves all year. In terms of soil it prefers soils that have decent drainage but is adaptable to a wide variety of soil types and will accept a pH range between 4.8 and 7.3. Broad Leaf Plantains will grow in full sun to partial shade and are considered a rosette forming plant. A rosette forming plant typically has a growing point that is in the center of the plant that is low to the ground making it resistant to grazing animals and lawn mowers. Typically an intentionally grown Broad Leaf Plantain can have a diameter of twelve inches with a height including flower stalks of about twelve inches. This plant has a bunch of alternate names such as Fleawort, Greater Plantain, Waybread and White Man’s Footprint. Now those last two are of note, but let’s start with the latter one; the name ‘White Man’s Footprint’ came about because this plant would originally only appear wherever Europeans built settlements as they accidentally or intentionally brought this plant to the New World. <Alt Text 2 of 4>

<Alt Text 3 of 4> The former name ‘Waybread’ likely comes from the use of plantain seed to make something like flour in the New World as it is known that a cousin of this plant California Plantain has been used as a food by the indigenous peoples of America circa 6,500 to 1,500 BCE. We know this because there is a period known as the Milling Stone Horizon which is archaeological period where the Indigenous Peoples of what is now California through artifacts left behind were known to be using Manos and Metates to grind seeds into flour. A Manos and Metate is a form of Milling stone that’s operated like a Pestle and Mortar, sort of. The epoch in which this all happened is also called the Encinitas Tradition. So the native Plantains are thoroughly linked to Indigenous traditions and culture and well let’s just say the European ones are no less valuable. Red-Leaf Plantains are useful to us now because they are pretty the red coloration in my specimen really came out in the middle of summer and has gotten more vibrant as it’s gotten colder at night. In the second picture you can see the flower stalks which contain dozens of tiny inconspicuous flowers which are wind pollinated. <Alt Text 3 of 4>

<Alt Text 4 of 4> [Author's Note: There is a purple-leaved variety called 'Purple Perversion' but I could not get a good photo online.] The seed pods follow them and then of course the seeds. I know what you’re thinking, ‘I’d need hundreds of plants to make a pound of flour!’ and you are not wrong. But Plantains have other virtues, Their roots can break hardpan soils and can limit the effects of wind and water erosion of soil. Each plant can produce something like twenty-thousand seeds so they are productive if you want flour or just to use the seeds for their Psyllium fiber for digestive health. If you’re planning to make Psyllium fiber, just soak the seeds and they will create a mucilaginous high fiber beverage that can help with constipation and other digestive issues. Beyond that there is the known use for the leaves, if you are stung, harvest a leaf and chew it up then spit the green mess out and apply it to the sting. The swelling and pain should relieve itself as enzymes in the leave will interact with your saliva to handle the swelling and discomfort. Lastly, the leaves are straight up edible. Young Plantain leaves can be eaten raw like one might do for spinach or other unusual greens while older ones will need to be cooked. Plantain leaves are high in vitamins A, C and K and therefore could be the difference in a survival situation between malnutrition and surviving a bit longer. Most of all, and I’ve said this before, Red-Leaved Plantains add in foliage color to the mix making them extra useful plus the red color means Anthocyanins which have anti-inflammatory properties and are used in the body as antioxidants. Some studies suggest that Anthocyanins also can help heart health by way of lowering cholesterol and may also boost brain function. Lastly, Anthocyanins may also fight cancer by limiting tumor growth. So with all that said, Red-Leaved Plantains are something you should consider including in your back yard Apothecary. <Alt Text 4 of 4>

The Wild Harvest Digest: November 2025, #1

Good Morning Neighbors,

Today’s plant of the week takes us back to our roots. (Please look at the Alt Text for more) #WildPlants #BroadleafPlantain #Red-LeafPlantain

Ink drawing of plantain growing out of driveway edges with descriptive text.

SciArt September, Day 23: Scouting. Sidewalk botanizing! Scouting for plats in an urban ecosystem can be fun and enlightening. This is Broadleaf Plantain, which is very common in disturbed areas such as sidewalks and driveway edges. 🎨🌱🐡#sciartseptember2025 #sciart #broadleafplantain #botanizing

Sometimes I miss doing field notes in coffee shops. But I have cozier places to draw now.

#FieldNotes #BotanicalIlustration #SketchBook #BroadleafPlantain

🌿 Broadleaf Plantain (Plantago major)
A soothing healer! 🌱 Broadleaf Plantain is a must-have in natural remedies. 🌟
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#BroadleafPlantain #HerbalHealing #NaturalRemedies #MexicanTraditions #PlantMagic 🌿✨