Weed!

A commonly seen 'weed' in everyone's garden and in every wayside location, is the Greater Plantain (Plantago major).

It is well known for it's long-rooted tenacity and ability to grow seemingly anywhere. It is less well-known for it's use as field dressing by soldiers on the battlefield. It is called 'Englishman's Foot' by Native American Indians because it was seen to grow wherever a 'white man walked'.
The leaves are edible but they are fibrous, 'stringy' and tough and very bitter.

The sinews in the leaves can be used to make short lengths of string as they are very strong and malleable when wet. The leaves can also be applied to insect bites and stings to help alleviate the symptoms.