Price range: £2.25 through £81.00
Buckshorn Plantain is a high-yielding, salad plant that forms large rosettes of long strap-like leaves which can be repeatedly cropped. Frost hardy, for autumn and winter use.
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Buckshorn Plantain
Latin name Plantago coronopus
Approximately 3000 seeds per g
Buckshorn plantain is an interesting salad plant. It forms rosettes of green, toothed leaves. It is these mature leaves that give the plant the name as they resemble deer antlers. In Italy the plant is known as Minutina and Erba Stella, (star grass). The plants growth starts slowly but becomes more vigorous reaching 20-30 cm in height. It is very frost hardy making it a welcome addition to winter salads. The flavour is said to be nutty with a hint of parsley. This description makes the flavour sound rather appealing: a sweet, complex taste of nuts and salt. Buckshorn plantain is adapted to coastal regions where the crunchy, succulent leaves take on a more salty flavour.
How to grow:
As we have just mentioned the initial growth is quite slow, consequently Buckshorn plantain is best started off inside in modules and then transplanted.
Sow seeds into trays or modules anytime from April until August. Plant out when large enough to handle at a distance of 10cms. Buckshorn plantain prefers some shade and moisture. Water if necessary.
Harvest individual young leaves at about 12-15cm long when they are tender.
Pests and diseases:
Buckshorn plantain is a hardy plant with no major problems regarding pests and diseases.
How to cook:
Pick young tender leaves at about 12 cm for salads, cut and come again.