Plantain, Narrow Leaf

Perennial. Plantago lanceolata

Flowers to 2.5 feet tall.

An abundant plant found growing almost anywhere on the planet, narrow leaf plantain produces edible tender leaves in early spring followed by nonshowy flowers in mid-to-late summer that support pollinators. Thrives on neglect. It is not to be confused with tropical plantain. It is used as a medicinal to pull toxins out of insect stings or bites. Chew or crush to make a poultice to apply to the sting or bite.  

 Photo Credit:

sannse, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons