Plantago coronopus L.

Basal Leaf Morphology

Plantago coronopus L. grows a basal rosette of narrowly lance-shaped leaves, which reach up to 25 centimeters long and are toothed or deeply divided.

Inflorescence Characteristics

Its erect inflorescences reach around 4 to 7 centimeters in height, and bear dense, sometimes curved spikes of flowers.

Flower Structure

Each individual flower has four whitish lobes, each approximately one millimeter long.

Habitat Substrate Preferences

This species grows primarily on sandy or gravelly soils near the sea, and also occurs on salt-treated roadsides.

Native and Introduced Range

It is native to Eurasia and North Africa, but has been introduced to many other regions including the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.

Leaf Vegetable Use

It is cultivated as a leaf vegetable called erba stella, and is most often added to salad mixes sold in specialty markets.

Cultivation as Winter Crop

In recent years, it has grown in popularity as a frost-hardy winter crop for farmers in northern climates, and is typically grown in unheated high tunnels.