Plantago
(the old Latin name of the genus, used by Pliny). Plantain. ORD. Plantagineae. This genus comprises all the species of the order (which see for characters) save two. They are of very little importance from a garden standpoint. P. Coronopus, P. lanceolata, P. major, P. maritima, and P. media, are British plants. P. brasiliensis is sometimes seen in botanic gardens. All thrive in ordinary soil, and may be readily raised from seed; the perennial species may also be propagated by division.
P. brasiliensis (Brazilian). fl. whitish, disposed in a compact, cylindrical spike, about 3in. long; scape axillary, solitary, rounded, twice as long as the leaves, clothed with white, adpressed hairs. Summer. l. linear-lanceolate, smooth, three-nerved, entire, with the margins somewhat thickened, much narrowed towards the base, and dilated again at the stem, which they embrace. h. 1ft. Brazil, 1823. (B. M. 2616.)