Plantago debilis is a species of herb native to Australia. Common names include shade plantain and weak plantain.
Description
It grows as an
Annual plant or
Perennial plant Herbaceous plant up to 20 centimetres high, with green or white flowers and a slender
taproot.
Taxonomy
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
Plantago varia, but this was not accepted.
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.
Distribution and habitat
It is native to
Australia, occurring in every state and territory.
It favours moist sandy soils.
Aboriginal uses
The
Noongar 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.
External list
