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Cochlearia officinalis - L.

Common Name Scurvy Grass, Spoonwort
Family Brassicaceae or Cruciferae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Sea cliffs and coastal marshes[9, 12], it can also be found inland near salt mines or saline springs[9].
Range Coastal and mountainous regions of western, northern and central Europe, including Britain.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Cochlearia officinalis Scurvy Grass, Spoonwort


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Cochlearia officinalis Scurvy Grass, Spoonwort
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cochlearia_officinalis_002.JPG

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
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

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
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

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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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 it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Cochlearia anglicaLong Leaved Scurvy GrassBiennial/Perennial0.3 -  LMHNMWe10 
Cochlearia danicaDanish Scurvy GrassAnnual0.2 5-9  LMHNM11 
Cochlearia macrocarpa  0.0 -  LMHNM10 
Cochlearia oblongifolia Biennial0.2 -  LMHNM10 
Cochlearia scotica Biennial/Perennial0.3 -  LMHNM10 

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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Subject : Cochlearia officinalis  
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