Buck's-horn plantain (Plantago coronopus): ID, uses & safety

Small, salty, and often ignored — buck's-horn plantain is a wild green worth knowing. You’ll find it on beaches, dunes, and poor soils where other plants struggle. It’s easy to spot, simple to grow, tasty when young, and has a long history of being used for mild medicinal needs.

How to identify and grow

Buck's-horn plantain forms a low rosette of narrow, deeply lobed leaves that look a bit like buck horns — hence the name. Leaves are usually 2–8 cm long, with a tough texture and a slightly briny flavor when found near the sea. In spring and summer it sends up thin flower spikes with tiny, inconspicuous flowers.

To grow it, pick a sunny spot with well-drained soil. It tolerates poor, sandy ground and salt spray, so it’s a good choice for coastal gardens. Sow seeds in early spring or autumn. Keep soil barely damp until seedlings appear. Once established, it needs little care: occasional watering in hot dry spells and thin out crowded patches to keep leaves small and tender.

Uses, recipes, and safety

Edible uses are straightforward. Young leaves work great in salads, mixed with milder lettuces or arugula to add texture and a hint of salt. Lightly sauté older leaves with garlic and olive oil or add them to soups in the last five minutes of cooking. Try a simple salad: young buck's-horn leaves, lemon juice, olive oil, a pinch of salt, and shaved hard cheese.

Traditional medicinal uses center on the plant’s soothing mucilage and mild anti-inflammatory qualities. People have used plantain leaves (the whole Plantago group) as poultices for minor cuts, insect bites, and skin irritation. For a quick poultice, bruise fresh leaves, fold them in a clean cloth, and hold over the affected area for 10–20 minutes. For a gentle throat or cough remedy, a mild infusion (steeped leaves in hot water for 10 minutes) can coat and soothe.

Safety notes: don’t eat plants from polluted roadsides, industrial areas, or places treated with pesticides. If you’ve never tried it, taste a small amount first — some people find the texture off-putting when leaves are mature. Allergic reactions are rare but possible; stop use if you notice rash, swelling, or breathing difficulty. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or on medication, check with your healthcare provider before using plantain medicinally.

Harvest leaves in the morning when they’re freshest. Use young leaves for salads and older ones for cooking or poultices. Store picked leaves in the fridge wrapped in a damp paper towel for up to a week, or blanch and freeze for longer storage.

If you’re into foraging or want a resilient green for a tough spot in your garden, buck's-horn plantain is a smart pick. It’s low-maintenance, useful, and—when you know how to prepare it—surprisingly pleasant to eat.