Plantain

Plantain, group of herbs in the family Plantaginaceae. Growing close to the ground, they have spikes growing out of a circular cluster of leaves. Many plantains are weeds and are undesired by gardeners. Some plantain plants, however, are grown for their medicinal value. Plantain is also the name of a tropical plant related to the banana. Hard and full of starch, this plantain is eaten cooked and is a major food in some tropical regions.