Weguat
Plantago maritima L.
Seashore Plantain
Weguat
Plantago macrocarpa Cham. & Schldl.
Plant
This seashore herb has long, thin, fleshy leaves that grow from the base of the plant. The small, greenish-white flowers of this salty-tasting plant form a crowded spike on a leafless stalk that rises from the plant’s base. Seashore plantain, a closely related plant with similar characteristics, has wider leaves than goosetongue.
Gathering: The plants can be gathered from May, when they first appear, until they develop flowers in July or August. The leaves become bitter as they age especially after the plant flowers.
Food: Goosetongue and seashore plantain are widely eaten vegetables. People enjoy the leaves raw, sometimes in salads. They consume the boiled leaves like spinach.
