Plantago debilis is a species of herb native to Australia. Common names include shade plantain and weak plantain.
| Plantago debilis | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Plantaginaceae |
| Genus: | Plantago |
| Species: | P. debilis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Plantago debilis | |
Description edit
It grows as an annual or perennial herb up to 20 centimetres high, with green or white flowers and a slender taproot.[1][2]
Taxonomy edit
This species was first published by Robert Brown in his 1810 Prodromus florae Novae Hollandiae. In 1916 Joseph Maiden and Ernst Betche demoted it to a variety of P. varia, but this was not accepted.[3]
Two varieties have been published, but it is unclear whether they are still recognised. P. debilis var. parvifolia was published as P. varia var. parvifolia by George Bentham in 1870.[4] In 1937 Robert Pilger transferred it to P. debilis,[5] thus implicitly publishing the autonym P. debilis var. debilis.[6] The specific epithet, debilis, is a Latin adjective, L. debilis,-is,-e, meaning "weak", "feeble", "frail".[7]
Distribution and habitat edit
It is native to Australia, occurring in every state and territory.[8] It favours moist sandy soils.[1][2]
Aboriginal uses edit
The Noongar people of south west Western Australia heated and crushed the leaves to give a liquid that was used to make poultices for sprains, ulcers, and boils.[9]
References edit
- ^ a b "Plantago debilis R.Br". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ a b R.Br. "New South Wales Flora Online: Plantago debilis". Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia.
- ^ "Plantago debilis R.Br". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
- ^ "Plantago varia var. parviflora Benth". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
- ^ "Plantago debilis var. parviflora (Benth.) Pilg". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
- ^ "Plantago debilis R.Br. var. debilis". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
- ^ "debilis,-is,-e". www.plantillustrations.org. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
- ^ "Plantago debilis R.Br". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture.
- ^ Hansen, V.; Horsefall, J. (2016). Noongar Bush Medicine Medicinal plants of the south-west of Western Australia. Crawley, WA: University of Western Australia. p. 123. ISBN 9781742589060.