Sea Plantain
ExplorePlants
Sea Plantain
Plantago maritima
Sea Plantain is a special plant that grows near the ocean. Its long, green leaves are shaped like a spoon and can be found on sandy shores and rocky beaches.
Habitat: Coastal areas
Appearance
The Sea Plantain has long, narrow, fleshy leaves that resemble grass or a goose's tongue, often tinted reddish-green. Its small, greenish-brown flowers are tightly packed into a distinctive, cylindrical spike atop a leafless stem.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyPlantaginaceaeGenusPlantago
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Ancient Vikings may have used its leaves for food during long sea voyages!
Even though it's a plant, its leaves are sometimes called 'goose tongue'.
Its seeds swell into a jelly-like substance when wet, helping them stick to new places.
This tough plant can grow right on the edges of shifting sand dunes!
Special abilities
Ability
Salt Guardian
Sea Plantain can thrive in salty coastal soils because it has special cells that manage salt levels.
Ability
Wind Weaver
Sea Plantain has tiny, simple flowers without bright petals, allowing the wind to easily carry its pollen.
Ability
Water Miser
Its thick, fleshy leaves store water, helping the Sea Plantain survive dry spells in its exposed coastal home.
Ability
Anchor Roots
Sea Plantain has strong roots that grip loose soil, helping it stay put in windy, erosion-prone coastal areas.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 5-40 cm
- Spread
- 10-30 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.2-0.3 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to early autumn
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Wind
Ecological connections
eaten by
Heath Fritillary
Mellicta athalia
Its larvae feed on plantain leaves.
eaten by
Brent Goose
Branta bernicla
Geese graze on its leaves in coastal marshes.
eaten by
Water Pipit
Anthus spinoletta
Birds forage for its seeds in salty habitats.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Salt Tolerant
Salt tolerant plants can withstand and grow in conditions with elevated salinity levels in the soil or water.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Marine
Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch plants without asking an adult first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Sea Plantain?
5-40 cm
How wide does Sea Plantain spread?
10-30 cm
How big are the flowers on Sea Plantain?
0.2-0.3 cm
When does Sea Plantain bloom?
Late spring to early autumn
Is Sea Plantain edible?
Yes
Is Sea Plantain toxic?
None
What is Sea Plantain's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Sea Plantain pollinated?
Wind
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