Goose Tongue
Plantago maritima
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Aleutian Is., Algeria, Argentina, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Kirgizstan, Krym, Labrador, Morocco, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Prince Edward I., Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United States, Virgin Islands
Cwmhiraeth
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Plantaginaceae
- Genus:
- Plantago
- Species:
- Plantago maritima
- USDA Symbol:
- PLMA3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- greenish-white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
⚠️Edith's checkerspot (Euphydryas editha)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, saline, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- commonly found in coastal and salt marsh areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best with cold stratification and light; surface sow on moist soil.
Pre-treatment: Seeds are soaked in fresh water for 24 hours
Establishment: Seeds are collected between July 3rd and November 10th. Mature capsules are brown. Seed is elliptic, brownish-red and 2 mm long at maturity. P. maritima is found in saline places and salt marshes; from coastal Alaska south to Santa Barbara County, California.
Source: npn.rngr.net