Plantago maritima - Goose Tongue

Description

The flowering stem of this coastal perennial arises from a basal rosette of 6" long leaves. It is held in the earth by a long thick taproot. It is wide ranging in California and will be found locally on coastal bluffs and wet and saline places. It also occurs in Scottland where the Gaelic meaning is 'Healing plant of the sea'.The foliage has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties as well as nutritional value for livestock. It blooms from April to November. Give it a sunny site in a well-drained soil, and occasional water during the dry summer months.