plantago

The root and leaves of the common or large-leaved plantain, P. major (family Plantaginaceae). [L. plantain]

- p. ovata coating the separated outer mucilaginous layers of P. ovata seeds; used in simple constipation associated with lack of sufficient bulk.

- p. seed SYN: psyllium seed.

* * *

plan·ta·go plan-'tā-(.)gō n

1) cap a large genus (the type of the family Plantaginaceae) of weeds that have narrow or elliptic leaves and very small inconspicuous flowers, comprise the plantains, and include the Old World fleawort (P. psyllium) and two other plants (P. indica and P. ovata) having indigestible and mucilaginous seeds used as a mild cathartic see PSYLLIUM SEED

2) PLANTAIN

* * *

Plan·ta·go (plan-taґgo) the psylliums, a genus of herbs of the family Plantaginaceae whose seeds are used medicinally. There are three important species, P. inґdica L., P. ovaґta Forskal (blond psyllium), and P. psylґlium L. (Spanish psyllium). See also plantago seed, under seed, psyllium husk, under husk, and psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid, under mucilloid.