1.  The plant Alisma Plantago, with leaves somewhat like those of the plantain, growing in ditches and by the river-side. Also as a name for the genus.

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1538.  Elyot, Dict., Add., Alisma,… water plantayne.

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1578.  Lyte, Dodoens, I. lxvi. 96. Water Plantayne is a fayre herbe, with large greene leaues.

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1785.  Martyn, Lett. Bot., xviii. (1794), 254. The Water Plantains…. Great Water Plantain, Alisma Plantago.

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1858.  A. Irvine, Brit. Plants, 291. Alisma, Linn. Water-Plantain…. A. Plantago. Greater Water-Plantain.

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1894.  J. Davidson, Ballads & Songs, 122–3.

        Water-plantain, rosy vagrant,
  Flings his garland on the wave;
Mint in midstream rises fragrant,
  Dressed in green and lilac brave.

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  2.  Applied to other aquatic plants: see quots.

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1864.  Grisebach, Flora W. Ind. Isl., 788. Water-plantain, Echinodorus cordifolius.

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1866.  Treas. Bot., s.v. Plantain, Water Plantain of Jamaica, Pontederia azurea.

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