Plantago maritima
Plantaginaceae
Late May to September
It is found all round the coast and on the Pennine uplands.
See the BSBI distribution map for Sea Plantain
Sea Plantain grows on coastal rocks, cliffs, turf, heaths and
the middle and upper grassed zones of saltmarshes.
In uplands it occurs on rocks, scree, stream banks and
unfertilised pastures.
It has also spread to salt-treated roadside verges.
It is a native, perennial herb growing up to 30cm.
The flower spikes are green and brown and the.
stems unfurrowed.
Female flowers have white, linear, protruding
stigmas and appear above the flowers with
stamens - protogynous.
Flowers have 4 stamens with long white
filaments and yellow anthers.
The petals are fused to form a corolla tube
and have 4 oval, pointed and ribbed, purplish
perianth lobes.
There are 4 persistent green or brown sepals.
Leaves are in a rosette and are fleshy, green
and linear. The undersides are more grey
and veined.
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Sea Plantain - Lune estuary saltmarsh
Sea Plantain on cliff, Heysham head
Flower spikes - stigmas above stamens
Close-up of flowers with 4 stamens,
3 above with emerging stigmas
Flowers with oval, ribbed, pointed,
purplish perianth lobes
Leaves
Under surface of leaves- greyer and
veined. Upper surface greener
and smooth
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