Plantain, Buck’s Horn (Organic)
Plantago coronopus. Perennial.
Tender crispness with a wonderful nutty flavor and succulent texture. A traditional European green, it survives the harshest winter weather here in Oregon. Plants are perennial and re-grow after cutting. A cultivated species related to the common edible garden weed. Narrow, strappy leaves have some antler-like forking, referenced in one of its common names. Collected by The Seed Ambassadors Project from an Italian seed company. Aka, Minutina, Herba/Erba Stella, Staghorn.
Sow in pots indoors February through September. Transplant 3-4 weeks after sprouting. May also be direct sown from early spring through late summer. Winter hardy perennial that is easy to grow. Flower shoots are also edible.
Seed Saving
Collect seeds from brown dry flowers before they shatter too much. Cut seedheads when dry, thresh by hand or by dancing, winnow or screen to clean. Easy to save seed, but the seeds are very small.
Stephanie –
Where did you grow this variety? Oregon
It’s my first year growing this lovely plantain. I didn’t get around to tasting it until it starting bolting, but nonetheless, it tastes great and impresses all with it’s not-unlike-a-fine-green tea, slightly seavegetative salty refreshing flavor.
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Crystal –
Where did you grow this variety? Washington
Tasty, mild, though it looks like it should be bitter. Mine lived thru winter in exposed containers here in mid-coast Washington, much to my surprise. Seed easy to collect from attractive spikes though I haven’t grown it out yet. I’d recommend for all year but especially for mild winter salads. I’m planning to try it as ground cover to see if it will stand up to being walked on and if it can live thru lettuce-munching dogs.
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