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Plantains are a type of banana that grows well in warm, humid, sub-coastal climates. They are native to Australia and can be found across the continent, particularly in grasslands, fields, forests, mountains, valleys, and inland arid regions near riverbeds. In Australia, plantains are cultivated in regions ranging from Wollongong in New South Wales to Cairns, Darwin, and Carnarvon in Western Australia. They are also considered weeds that can invade lawns and borders, competing with grass and other plants for water and nutrients. While some people seek to eradicate plantains from their lawns, others seek to cultivate them for their culinary and medicinal properties.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Climate | Warm and humid |
| Region | Wollongong in NSW northwards to Cairns, Darwin, then south to Carnarvon in WA |
| Height | 30 cm |
| Soil preference | Moist and well-drained |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Soil type | Degraded |
| Root type | Shallow and fibrous |
| Growing period | Six weeks from germination to setting seed |
| Parts used for cooking | Fruit, boiled and mashed, or sliced and fried |
| Parts used for medicine | Seeds |
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What You'll Learn
- Plantains grow in Australia's warm, humid, sub-coastal climate
- They are farmed from Wollongong in NSW to Cairns and Darwin
- Native plantains like Plantago cunninghamii and Plantago debilis are found in western NSW
- Broadleaved plantain (Plantago major) grows in water-logged environments
- Buckhorn plantain (Plantago coronopis) is common in coastal areas with salty conditions
Plantains grow in Australia's warm, humid, sub-coastal climate
Plantains thrive in a warm, humid, sub-coastal climate, and they grow well in Australia's coastal regions, from Wollongong in New South Wales to Cairns in Queensland, and then north to Darwin and south to Carnarvon in Western Australia. Plantains are farmed in these areas and are a staple food for many people.
In Australia, plantains can be purchased from online herb stores and community gardens, and they are also available at some retail outlets and markets. However, it is important to note that Western Australia has strict quarantine laws, so buying and selling plants and seeds online is regulated. The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is the authority that regulates the sale and certifies the growers of plantains in New South Wales.
Plantains are easy to grow, and they are highly productive plants. They have a short growing period and can go from germination to setting seed in as little as six weeks. Plantains are also highly adaptable and can withstand full sun and degraded soils. They can even survive foot traffic, often growing where other plants cannot, such as along pathways.
There are several varieties of plantains that grow in Australia, including native varieties such as Plantago cunninghamii and Plantago debilis, which are found in western New South Wales and are known as bush bandaid or native porridge. The broadleaved plantain (Plantago major) is commonly found in water-logged environments, while Buckhorn plantain (Plantago coronopis) is prevalent in coastal areas, tolerating salty conditions.
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They are farmed from Wollongong in NSW to Cairns and Darwin
Plantains are suited to a warm and humid sub-coastal climate. In Australia, they are grown from Wollongong in New South Wales (NSW) to Cairns and Darwin, and then south to Carnarvon in Western Australia (WA). They are farmed in these areas.
Plantains are a type of banana and are ornamental and highly productive plants. They are used in a similar way to potatoes and can be boiled and mashed, or sliced and fried. They can also be dried and turned into flour for baking.
Native plantains, such as Plantago cunninghamii or Plantago debilis, are found in western NSW and are known as bush bandaid or native porridge. Aboriginal people bruise the seeds and mix them with water to create a filling meal.
Plantains are also found in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). They are a common weed in Australia and can be found everywhere, up to the subtropics. They are extremely common in grasslands, fields, forests, mountains, and valleys, and can even be found in arid regions near riverbeds and billabongs after it has rained.
Plantains have a variety of leaves, ranging from the long and narrow leaves of ribwort to the oval, long-stalked leaves of broadleaf plantain to the stag-antler shape of buckhorn plantain. They produce flowering spikes with insignificant flowers on top. The leaves have five to seven parallel lines and veins running up their length.
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Native plantains like Plantago cunninghamii and Plantago debilis are found in western NSW
Plantains are suited to a warm, humid, sub-coastal climate and can be grown in Australia from Wollongong in NSW to Cairns and Darwin, and south to Carnarvon in WA. They are also farmed in these areas. In Western Australia, strict quarantine laws mean that no one living outside of the state can send you bananas without breaking the law.
Plantains are a common weed that grows everywhere in Australia, all the way up to the subtropics. The most common variety is ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata), which grows wherever there's space. It is highly adaptable and can withstand full sun and degraded soils. It survives foot traffic and is most likely to grow where other plants cannot, such as along pathways.
There are also native plantains, like Plantago cunninghamii and Plantago debilis, found in western NSW and respected as both food and medicine. The Aboriginal people bruise the seeds and mix them with water to create a satisfying and filling meal. These plantains are also known as bush bandaid or native porridge.
Other plantains include the broadleaved plantain (Plantago mayor), found in water-logged environments, and Buckhorn plantain (Plantago coronopis), common in coastal areas where it can withstand salty conditions.
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Broadleaved plantain (Plantago major) grows in water-logged environments
Plantains are ornamental and highly productive plants that are suited to a warm, humid, sub-coastal climate. They grow well in Australia, from Wollongong in NSW to Cairns, Darwin, and south to Carnarvon in WA. While plantains are commonly farmed in these regions, they can also be found growing wild in nature.
Broadleaved plantain, scientifically known as Plantago major, is a type of plantain that thrives in water-logged environments. It is native to Europe and Asia but has spread widely across the world, particularly in temperate and tropical regions. This adaptability is facilitated by human activities, such as soil disturbance and compaction.
Plantago major is characterised by its oval, long-stalked leaves. It belongs to the Plantago genus, which includes other plantains such as Plantago cunninghamii and Plantago debilis, native to western NSW and valued for their medicinal and nutritional properties. The leaves of these plantains are used to treat various ailments, both internally and externally.
The common feature across all plantains is the flowering spike that emerges on a long stalk with insignificant flowers. However, the leaves of each plantain variety differ. Broadleaved plantain is distinguished by its oval-shaped leaves with five to seven parallel lines running along their length.
In summary, broadleaved plantain (Plantago major) is a resilient species that has spread globally and is particularly well-suited to water-logged environments. Its oval-shaped leaves and long stalks make it recognisable, and it plays a valuable role in traditional medicine and nutrition in some cultures.
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Buckhorn plantain (Plantago coronopis) is common in coastal areas with salty conditions
Plantains are a common weed that grows all over the world, including in Australia. The Buckhorn plantain, or Plantago coronopis, is a species of plantain that is particularly well-suited to coastal areas with salty conditions.
Buckhorn plantain is native to Eurasia and North Africa, but it has been introduced to other parts of the world, including Australia, where it has become quite common in certain regions. This plantain gets its name from the distinctive shape of its leaves, which resemble the antlers of a buck or stag. The leaves are long and oval-shaped, with deep divisions that give them a toothed appearance. The inflorescences of the plant grow to about 4 to 7 cm in height, with dense spikes of small whitish flowers that sometimes curve.
Buckhorn plantain thrives in high-salinity environments and is often found in coastal areas where other plants might struggle to survive. It is commonly found growing on sandy or gravelly soils close to the sea, as well as on salt-treated roadsides. This makes it particularly well-suited to the coastal regions of Australia, where it has become a common sight.
In addition to its tolerance for salty conditions, Buckhorn plantain is also highly adaptable to various environmental conditions. Like other plantains, it can withstand full sun exposure and degraded soils. It is often found growing in open environments, where it can grow flat and wide. However, when competing with other plants for sunlight, it can also grow tall and slender.
Buckhorn plantain has been used by humans for a variety of purposes throughout history. The leaves of the plant have been used as a natural remedy for weary feet, and the plant is also known to have medicinal properties. Additionally, the leaves are edible and are sometimes used as a leaf vegetable in specialty salads.
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Frequently asked questions
Plantains grow in a variety of habitats across the breadth of the entire Australian continent, generally south of the Tropic of Capricorn. They are extremely common in grasslands, fields, forests, mountains, valleys, and even in arid regions near riverbeds and billabongs.
Plantains are well-suited to the climate in Wollongong in NSW, northwards to Cairns, Darwin, and south to Carnarvon in WA, where they are farmed.
Plantain is a common weed with a variety of leaves, ranging from the narrow lance-like leaves of ribwort to the oval, long-stalked leaves of broadleaf plantain to the stag-antler look of buckhorn plantain.
Plantain leaves are generally between 8-25 cm long with five or seven long veins extending the length of the leaf. The leaves can be smooth, with slight fuzz, or crinkled. The flowers are small and greenish-white, and they eventually turn into small seedpods containing up to 20 seeds.
You can buy plantains from a government-approved, certified disease-free source. Contact your state's Department of Agriculture for more information. Some online stores also sell potted plantains in tubes.
