Woolly Plantain, Peludilla, Patagonian Plantain, Woolly Indian Wheat,Plantago patagonica,Plantain Family (Plantaginaceae)

Found in sandy areas, canyons
Seen blooming in June in Plaza Blanca
There is a lot of chat these days about AI and ChatGPT so I asked Bing to write this week’s blog. I typed “Write a blog about plantago patagonica” and this is what it wrote.
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Woolly Plantain: A Hairy Herb with Many Uses
Have you ever heard of woolly plantain? No, I’m not talking about the starchy fruit that looks like a banana. I’m talking about a small, hairy plant that grows in many parts of North America and South America. Woolly plantain (Plantago patagonica) is a species of plantain, a group of plants that have long, narrow leaves and tiny flowers clustered on spikes. Woolly plantain gets its name from the dense layer of white hairs that covers its leaves and flower spikes.

Woolly plantain is an annual herb, which means it completes its life cycle in one year. It can grow up to 10 cm (4 inches) tall and 15 cm (6 inches) wide. It prefers dry, open habitats, such as grasslands, woodlands, fields, roadsides, and waste areas. It can tolerate drought and poor soils. It blooms from spring to fall, producing cylindrical or conical spikes of white or pink flowers that are pollinated by wind or insects.

Woolly plantain has been used by Native Americans for various purposes. The Navajo, Puebloans, and Hopi used it as a medicinal and ceremonial plant. They applied the crushed leaves to treat headaches, diarrhea, colic, and wounds. They also ate the leaves or drank the tea to reduce appetite and prevent obesity. They used the seeds as beads or food. They burned the dried plants as incense or smudge sticks to purify the air and ward off evil spirits.

Woolly plantain is not only useful for humans, but also for wildlife. It provides food and shelter for many insects, such as bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, and grasshoppers. It also attracts birds that feed on its seeds, such as sparrows, finches, and quails.

Woolly plantain is a common and widespread plant that you may have overlooked before. Next time you see it growing in your area, take a closer look and appreciate its beauty and benefits.
I hope this blog post helps you learn more about woolly plantain.

Pretty impressive, don’t you think. It even has a sense of humor. This is what I wrote. Am I out of a job?

Although common, Woolly Plantain can be easily overlooked, growing only a few inches tall. It grows in tufts with velvety, narrow leaves. The tiny greenish-white flowers are less than 1/8 inch across, have four petals and grow in a fuzzy, dense spike. Native Americans made a tea from the plant to treat diarrhea and headaches. Havasupai and many other southwest tribes utilized the seeds as a meal, hence the common name Indian Wheat. The Hopi gave the plant to a person “to make him more agreeable”. Source.

If you are trying to identify a different flower then you can check what other flowers bloom this month. If you cannot identify a flower from the website, send a photo and where you took it to contact@rockymountainsflora.com. Read online for tips.