Plantain (Family Plantaginaceae)

The Plantaginaceae or Plantain Family, is a family of flowering

plants in Order Lamiales. In older classifications it used to be the

only family of Order Plantaginales, but numerous recent studies

have demonstrated that Order Plantaginales should be included

within the order Lamiales. In addition, extensive modifications

have been proposed for extending family Plantaginaceae to in-

clude other genera not formally associated with it.

This newer, broader Family Plantaginaceae is a most diverse, cos-

mopolitan family, occurring mostly in temperate zones. It consists

of herbs, shrubs and also a few aquatic plants with roots (such as

the Genus Callitriche).

Many members of Family Plantaginaceae are considered weeds,

although a few have medical benefits (e.g., a laxative from Plant-

aginaceae psyllium seed).

Back to Inventory of Herb/Forb Families and Species