Plantain

Lets take some time to really appreciate one of my favorite backyard foraging goodies, the Broadleaf Plantain (Plantago Major).

Much like the Dandelion [a favorite here at MFS], the Broadleaf Plantain is an entirely edible and useful plant.

It is a perfect beginners herb, because you can't really go wrong in how you use it. Plus it packs amazing medicinal properties.

Plantain grows really low to the ground. This is especially nice when you have an over helpful husband and generously kind neighbors who help you out by surprising you with mowing your untamed mess of a yard. Often times I find plantain leaves entirely untouched by the lawn mower blades because of how low to the ground it is.

I find that to be one of the most humbling facts about the Broadleaf Plantain. It is rather unfazed by it's not so natural predator, the lawn mower, yet it remains non-invasive. It takes up just enough space on this non-native continent it's found it's home on; just to provide us with it's beauty, but careful not to take space away from those native species we need and love in our gardens and lawns.

Plantain is an ancient herb. It can be found in far back texts.

Greek Physician Dioscorides and Pliny both speak of Plantain and the many uses of this medicinal herb.

Broadleaf Plantain was known as the "white man's footprint" by Native Americans. It was brought here by early colonists. Often seen on trails of their wagons.

Broadleaf Plantain can be identified by its basal rosette of broad, stringy veins that can be seen by cracking the leaf open, they sprawl from end to end of the leaf and oval leaves.

Lastly, the seed husk can be dried and powdered. This powder can be used as something very similar to Metamucil.

I dare you to take a walk around your backyard and see if you find any! I'd love to hear about those of you that do!