NZ Lifestyle Block

PLANTAIN IN NEW ZEALAND

There are 20 species of plantain that grow in New Zealand, nine of which are native. The most common species are:

NAME: Broadleaf plantain (Plantago Majora) otherwise known as greater plantain, common plantain, rat’s tail plantain, St Patrick’s leaf, Patrick’s dock, rippleseed and snakeweed.

DISTRIBUTI­ON: Widely spread throughout farms, grasslands and parks. Beware of spray.

Identifica­tion: Look for a rosette of large, ribbed oval leaves, up to 25cm long. The long, unfurrowed flower stems/stalks carry many tiny pale green flowers.

CULINARY USES: Leaves, seeds, and roots are all edible. Leaves and roots can be cooked or used fresh in salads, while seeds can be toasted or baked.

MEDICINAL USES: Leaves can be used for cuts, stings, wounds, burns, ulcers, and insect bites, while both leaves and seeds can be used to help with respirator­y conditions, urinary infections, diarrhoea, and digestive issues.

CONTAINS: a bitter glycoside (aucubin), mucilage, silicic acid, xanthophyl­l, enzymes, vitamin C, tannins, mineral salts, tannic acid

NAME : Narrowleaf plantain (Plantago lanceolata), also known as ribwort plantain, lance-leaved plantain, cocks and hens, fighting cocks, lamb’s tail, ribble grass, snake weed, and lamb’s tongue.

DISTRIBUTI­ON: At the margins of grasslands and parks throughout New Zealand. Beware of spray along roadsides and urban areas.

IDENTIFICA­TION: Has a cluster of narrow leaves, with ribbed vertical lines. The flower stalk is shorter than other plantains.

CULINARY USES: Leaves, seeds, and roots are all edible. Leaves and roots can be cooked or used fresh in salads, while seeds can be toasted or baked.

MEDICINAL USES: Leaves can be used for cuts, stings, wounds, burns, ulcers, and insect bites, while both leaves and seeds can be used to help with respirator­y conditions, urinary infections, diarrhoea, and digestive issues.