There are many species of this plant growing in my native Britain, and my favourite edible ones are the varieties growing close to the sea - Buck's Horn plantain (Plantago coronopus) and Sea plantain (Plantago maritima).

Plantago major and Plantago lanceolata are the most commonly known plantains in the UK and are used for many things including first aid as a poultice for cuts - chew a fresh leaf a bit and pop it on a cut and see how quickly the bleeding stops with the styptic qualities of the leaf juice. I have collected the pollen on a wet hand a licked it off for a tasty, sweet protein rich lift.

If you would like to know more about Plantago major and Plantago lanceolata, two of the more common plantains in the Uk please see this informative page: https://www.eatweeds.co.uk/ribwort-and-greater-plantain-plantago-spp