Plantain Collection

Banana tree, Musa paradisiaca (Musa vittata). Handcoloured lithograph from Louis van Houtte and Charles Lemaires Flowers of the Gardens and Hothouses of Europe

A selection of common British Moths Date: circa 1920s

Glanville fritillary butterfly (Melitaea cinxia) roosting on larval foodplant Ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata), UK - Captive - Focus Stacked Image

Downy rattlesnake plantain orchid, Goodyera pubescens. Handcoloured lithograph from Louis van Houtte and Charles Lemaires Flowers of the Gardens and Hothouses of Europe

Siebolds hosta, Hosta sieboldiana (Siebolds funkia, Funkia sieboldiana). Handcoloured copperplate engraving by G. Barclay after Miss Sarah Drake from John Lindley

Common toadflax (Linaria vulgaris), orange nectar guides on lower lip and long spur containing nectar. Surrey, England, UK. Focus stacked

Close-up of rain drops on trumpet-shaped flowers of Hosta plant prior to opening

Water plantain, Alisma plantago
5856178 Water plantain, Alisma plantago; (add.info.: Water plantain, Alisma plantago. Chromolithograph from Carl Lindman's "Bilder ur Nordens Flora" (Pictures of Northern Flora)

Ribwort plantain, Plantago lanceolata
5855889 Ribwort plantain, Plantago lanceolata; (add.info.: Ribwort plantain, Plantago lanceolata. Chromolithograph from Carl Lindman's "Bilder ur Nordens Flora")

Asparagus, Asparagus officinalis, and red plantain, Plantago major rubrifolia
FLO4667768 Asparagus, Asparagus officinalis, and red plantain, Plantago major rubrifolia. Handcoloured woodblock engraving of a botanical illustration from Adam Lonicer's Krauterbuch, or Herbal

Plantain, Plantago major, and ribwort plantain, Plantago lanceolata. Handcoloured woodblock engraving of a botanical
FLO4667778 Plantain, Plantago major, and ribwort plantain, Plantago lanceolata. Handcoloured woodblock engraving of a botanical illustration from Adam Lonicer's Krauterbuch, or Herbal, Frankfurt

Banana tree, Musa paradisiaca (Musa vittata). Handcoloured lithograph from Louis van Houtte
FLO4627467 Banana tree, Musa paradisiaca (Musa vittata). Handcoloured lithograph from Louis van Houtte and Charles Lemaire's Flowers of the Gardens and Hothouses of Europe

Scarlet banana or red-flowering banana, Musa coccinea. Handcoloured lithograph from Louis van Houtte
FLO4629850 Scarlet banana or red-flowering banana, Musa coccinea. Handcoloured lithograph from Louis van Houtte and Charles Lemaire's Flowers of the Gardens and Hothouses of Europe

Decorative botanical print with arrowhead, plantain lily, waterlily and iris
5855543 Decorative botanical print with arrowhead, plantain lily, waterlily and iris; (add.info.: Five aquatic plants including white arrowhead (Sagittaria sagittifolia), plantain lily (Hosta)

Hoary plantain, Plantago media
5855890 Hoary plantain, Plantago media; (add.info.: Hoary plantain, Plantago media. Chromolithograph from Carl Lindman's "Bilder ur Nordens Flora" (Pictures of Northern Flora)

Banana leaf, Musa paradisiaca (Musa vittata). Handcoloured lithograph from Louis van Houtte
FLO4627489 Banana leaf, Musa paradisiaca (Musa vittata). Handcoloured lithograph from Louis van Houtte and Charles Lemaire's Flowers of the Gardens and Hothouses of Europe

Plantain tree with fruit, Musa sapientum
5856553 Plantain tree with fruit, Musa sapientum; (add.info.: Plantain tree with fruit, Musa sapientum. Handcolored copperplate engraving of a botanical illustration by J. Schaly from G. T)

Purple toadflax (Linaria purpurea), on verge of footpath, South Croydon, Surrey, England, June

Pale toadflax (Linaria repens), a rare plant in Surrey. Park Downs, Chipstead Downs SSSI, Surrey, England, July

Colombia, Caldas, Chinchina, Jeep Willys with Load of Plantains

Garden bumblebee (Bombus hortorum), on Purple toadflax (Linaria purpurea), Monmouthshire, Wales, UK. June

Ivy leaved toadflax (Cymbalaria muralis) flowers with orange nectar guides. Surrey, England, UK. April

Germander speedwell flowers (Veronica chamaedrys). Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, UK. May

Banana tree, La Palma, Canaries, Spain

Africa. The perfect Banana (Musa paradisiaca)
History of Africa. 19th century. The perfect Banana (Musa paradisiaca). Engraving. El Congo y la Creacion del Estado Independiente de este nombre

Small pearl-bordered fritillary (Boloria selene) roosting on ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata), Marsland mouth, Devonshire, UK. May

Still Life with Fruit and Toad
IND54345 Still Life with Fruit and Toad by Bustos, Hermenegildo (1832-1907); Museo de Alhondiga de Granaditas, Guanajuato, Mexico; Index Fototeca

Yumbo Indian from the neighbourhood of Quito, Ecuador, with various fruits and trees (oil on canvas)
IND113086 Yumbo Indian from the neighbourhood of Quito, Ecuador, with various fruits and trees (oil on canvas) by American School, (18th century); Museo de America, Madrid, Spain; Index Fototeca

DDE-90022922
Lake Mutanda near Kisoro with the Virunga Volcanoes as reflection in the lake. Kisoro, Kigezi, Uganda. Date: 22/01/2009

DDE-90022921
Lake Mutanda near Kisoro in Uganda. On the shoreline the land is cultivated, very often with plantain (matoke). Kisoro, Kigezi, Uganda. Date: 22/01/2009

DDE-90022919
Lake Mutanda near Kisoro in Uganda. On the shoreline the land is cultivated, very often with plantain (matoke). Kisoro, Kigezi, Uganda. Date: 22/01/2009

Banana tree, Musa -- paradisiaca, on a tropical coast. 1807 (aquatint)
7237488 Banana tree, Musa -- paradisiaca, on a tropical coast. 1807 (aquatint) by Daniell, William (1769-1837); Private Collection; (add.info.: Banana tree, Musa -- paradisiaca, on a tropical coast)

Banana, Musa acuminata. 1849 (engraving)
7235318 Banana, Musa acuminata.1849 (engraving) by Maubert, Louis Joseph Edouard (1806-1879); Private Collection; (add.info.: Banana, Musa acuminata. Southern Asia. Bananier de la Chine)

Le Vocabulaire Illustre: Bananier; Banana-tree; Bananasbaum (engraving)
7194823 Le Vocabulaire Illustre: Bananier; Banana-tree; Bananasbaum (engraving) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Bananier; Banana-tree; Bananasbaum)

Cocoa-Nut and Plantain-Trees (engraving)
7183153 Cocoa-Nut and Plantain-Trees (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Cocoa-Nut and Plantain-Trees)

Fallow fields burst into flower containing Corn chamomile (Anthemis arvensis), Hoarry mullein (Verbascum pulverulentum), Purple toadflax (Linaria purpurea) and Common poppy (Papaver rhoeas), Abruzzo

Fallow field in flower containing Poppy (Papaver rhoeas), Woad (Isatis tinctoria), Corn chamomile (Anthemis arvensis) Olympian mullein (Verbascum longifolium) and Purple toadflax (Linaria purpurea)

Greater plantain, Plantago major. Handcoloured copperplate stipple engraving from Jussieus Dizionario delle Scienze Naturali, Dictionary of Natural Science, Florence, Italy, 1837

White-crowned robin-chat, Cossypha albicapilla (Lesser white-crowned rock thrush, Petrocincla albicapilla). Handcoloured steel engraving by William Lizars after an illustration by William John

Head of the western plantain-eater, Crinifer piscator (Variegated plantain eater, crested plantain eater, Chizoeris variegata)

Red-necked falcon, Falco chicquera ruficollis. (Rufous-necked falcon, Falco ruficollis.) Handcoloured steel engraving by William Lizars after an illustration by William John Swainson from his Birds

Cape bunting, Emberiza capensis (Yellow-bellied bunting, Fringillaria capensis). Handcoloured steel engraving by William Lizars after an illustration by William John Swainson from his Birds of

Lanceleaf plantain lily, Hosta lancifolia (Lance-leaved funkia, Funkia lancifolia). Handcoloured copperplate drawn and engraved by Frederick W

Greater water plantain, Alisma plantago-aquatica (Alisma plantago). Handcoloured copperplate engraving after a drawing by James Sowerby for James Smiths English Botany, 1801

Floating water plantain, Luronium natans (Alisma natans). Handcoloured copperplate engraving after a drawing by James Sowerby for James Smiths English Botany, 1800

Holosteon or white plantain, Plantago albicans, and meadow flax, Linum pratense. Handcoloured woodblock engraving of a botanical illustration from Adam Lonicers Krauterbuch, or Herbal, Frankfurt

Northern water plantain, Alisma triviale and starfruit, Damasonium alisma. Handcoloured woodblock engraving of a botanical illustration from Adam Lonicers Krauterbuch, or Herbal, Frankfurt, 1557

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Plantain, also known as the banana tree or Musa paradisiaca, is a versatile and fascinating plant that has captured the attention of nature enthusiasts worldwide. From its stunning trumpet-shaped flowers adorned with raindrops to its role as a host for Siebolds hosta (Hosta sieboldiana), plantain showcases the beauty and diversity of the natural world. In British landscapes, plantain serves as a sanctuary for an array of enchanting creatures. The Downy rattlesnake plantain orchid (Goodyera pubescens) finds solace amidst its leaves, while common toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) displays vibrant orange nectar guides on its lower lip and elongated spur. Small pearl-bordered fritillaries (Boloria selene) gracefully rest upon ribwort plantains (Plantago lanceolata), creating picturesque scenes in Devonshire's Marsland mouth during May. As we explore further, we encounter purple toadflax (Linaria purpurea) adorning footpaths in South Croydon, Surrey. Its delicate blooms add splashes of color to our surroundings. Meanwhile, pale toadflax (Linaria repens), though rare in Surrey's Park Downs area, captivates us with its unique presence. The allure continues with garden bumblebees (Bombus hortorum) buzzing around Purple toadflax in Monmouthshire. These industrious pollinators rely on plants like these for sustenance and play an essential role in maintaining ecological balance. Even within urban environments like Surrey's streetscapes, nature finds a way to thrive. Ivy-leaved toadflax (Cymbalaria muralis) bursts forth with vibrant flowers boasting orange nectar guides—a testament to resilience and adaptability. Finally, let us not forget Africa—the birthplace of the perfect banana: Musa paradisiaca.