Hunting at Roadside IV #3

Ribwort Plantain (Plantago Labceolata) is a rosette-forming perennial herb, with leafless, silky, hairy flower stems. It can live anywhere from very dry meadows to places similar to a rain forest, but it does best in open, disturbed areas. It is therefore common near roadsides where other plants cannot flourish.

The unopened flower heads can be eaten raw and have a taste reminiscent of raw button mushrooms. The leaves are edible, but are bitter and it is best to remove the thick veins. They can be dehydrated to create a stock. The plant is also used frequently in herbal teas and other herbal remedies. A tea from the leaves is used as a cough medicine. In the traditional Austrian medicine, Ribwort Plantain leaves have been used internally (as syrup or tea) or externally (fresh leaves) for treatment of disorders of the respiratory tract, skin, insect bites, and infections.