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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Cochlearia officinalis is a BIENNIAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft).
It is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, beetles. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw[2, 5, 9, 12, 55]. An acrid tarry flavour, it can be added in small quantities to salads for its high content of vitamin C[1, 66, 183]. Pleasantly sharp[17, 172]. Rather less than pleasant to most tastes, though there are occasional people who like it[K].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Antirheumatic Antiscorbutic Aperient Disinfectant Diuretic Stimulant Vitamin C

The herb is antiscorbutic, aperient, disinfectant, diuretic and stimulant[4, 9, 21, 46]. This plant was highly valued by sailors of the past and was taken in the diet daily as a preventative for scurvy on long sea trips. Applied externally, the bruised leaves are used to heal ulcers[9]. It is best used when fresh though it can also be harvested in late spring or early summer and dried for later use[9].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Disinfectant

None known

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a cool shady position[27]. Grows wild on acid or calcareous soils, but it avoids shady positions. Prefers a sandy or gritty well-drained soil[200]. At one time this plant was commonly eaten, especially by sailors, for its high Vitamin C content which can prevent or cure scurvy[1, 183]. A polymorphic species, it hybridizes with C. danica and C. anglica[17]. A good bee plant[200].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in situ. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks at 15°c[164].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

EUROPE: Denmark, Finland (north), Faroe Islands, United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany (north), Netherlands, Russian Federation (Komi, Arkhangelsk, Neneckij avtonomnyj okrug, Murmansk), France (north)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal
Cochlearia anglica	Long Leaved Scurvy Grass	Biennial/Perennial	0.3	-	LMH	N	MWe	1	0
Cochlearia danica	Danish Scurvy Grass	Annual	0.2	5-9	LMH	N	M	1	1
Cochlearia macrocarpa			0.0	-	LMH	N	M	1	0
Cochlearia oblongifolia		Biennial	0.2	-	LMH	N	M	1	0
Cochlearia scotica		Biennial/Perennial	0.3	-	LMH	N	M	1	0

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Cochlearia officinalis - L.