Plantaceae

Plantaceae is a botanical name historically used for a family of flowering plants in the order Lamiales. In modern classifications, the group is usually treated as a synonym of Plantaginaceae, the plantain family, and Plantaceae is encountered mainly in older literature. The circumscription of Plantaginaceae has expanded in the APG system, incorporating a wide range of genera formerly placed in Scrophulariaceae, and includes familiar genera such as Plantago (plantains), Digitalis (foxgloves), and Veronica (speedwells).

Plants in this group are predominantly herbaceous perennials and annuals; some shrubs, with diverse floral forms. Leaves are typically simple and may be basal or alternate. Flowers are often tubular or bilabiate, with bilateral symmetry in many species, and are arranged in spikes, racemes, or panicles.

Distribution is worldwide, concentrated in temperate regions, with representatives in tropical areas. They inhabit meadows, grasslands, woodlands, wetlands, and disturbed habitats such as roadsides.

Ecology and uses: Several species are important to pollinators. Plantago species produce seeds rich in soluble fiber (psyllium) used as a laxative and dietary supplement. Some cultivated members such as Digitalis purpurea are used ornamentally but contain potent cardiac glycosides and require careful handling. Other members are grown ornamentally or as groundcover; the family includes species used in traditional medicine.

Taxonomy: The APG IV system places Plantaginaceae in Lamiales; Plantaceae is largely regarded as synonymous with Plantaginaceae in contemporary treatments, while older sources preserve the historical name. The group’s phylogeny has benefited from molecular data, clarifying the relationships among genera.