Cochlearia officinalis

Cochlearia officinalis, common scurvygrass, scurvy-grass, or spoonwort, is a flowering plant of the genus Cochlearia in the family Brassicaceae. The plant acquired its common name from the observation that it cured scurvy, and it was taken on board ships in dried bundles or distilled extracts. Its very bitter taste was usually disguised with herbs and spices; however, this did not prevent scurvygrass drinks and sandwiches becoming a popular fad in the UK until the middle of the nineteenth century, when citrus fruits became more readily available.

Cochlearia officinalis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Brassicales
Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Cochlearia
Species:
C. officinalis
Binomial name
Cochlearia officinalis

Description

Cochlearia officinalis is a biennial/perennial,[1] growing to 10–50 cm (3.9–19.7 in).[2] The stems are hairless and long stalked with fleshy leaves. The leaves are heart or kidney shaped, the lower stems leaves form a rosette around the base of the plant.[2] It is in flower from May to August,[3] they are small, and come in white or lilac,[1] with four daisy-like petals.[2] The seeds ripen from July to September,[3] they are globe shaped. The small, round seeds are reddish brown.[2] The flowers are hermaphrodite and are pollinated by bees, flies, and beetles. The plant is self-fertile. It is also noted for attracting wildlife and not being frost tender.[3]

Taxonomy

It is commonly known as 'common scurvy-grass',[2][4] 'scurvy-grass' and 'spoonwort'.[5]

It was formerly described by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal publication 'Species Plantarum' in 1753, on page 647.[6][7]

The specific epithet officinalis, refers to the Linnaeus term for plants with an established medicinal, culinary, or other use.[8]

It has one known subspecies, Cochlearia officinalis subsp. integrifolia (Hartm.) Nordal & Stabbetorp.[7]

Distribution and habitat
Cochlearia officinalis in Prague

Cochlearia officinalis is a temperate native to Europe.[4][5]

Range

It is found within Eastern Europe, in the Russian Federation, (within the Administrative centre of Arkhangelsk, Komi, Murmansk and Nenets). In Middle Europe, within Belgium, Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland. In Northern Europe, within Iceland, Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. In Southwestern Europe within France.[5]

It has also naturalised in other parts of Europe such as Italy and Spain.[5]

Habitat

It grows in the coastal and mountainous regions of Europe, including the Alps.[4] In Ireland, it prefers saltmarshes, coastal cliffs and walls, and rocky, muddy seashores.[1] In Northern Scandinavia, it grows in gravel beaches, crevices in beach cliffs and salt marshes.[9]

Uses

It was once used as Herbalists as a cure for Scurvy, as the plant contains Vitamin C.[2] Nicholas Culpeper wrote in his book 'Complete Herbal', of Scurvygrass that its chief good effect is when used 'by those that have the scurvy' and that it 'is of singular good effect to cleanse the blood, liver and spleen, taking the juice in the Spring every morning fasting in a cup of drink.[1]

The leaves were also made into a beer called 'scurvygrass ale',[2] it has been occasionally re-made as a craft ale.[10]

References
  1. "Information on Common Scurvygrass". wildflowersofireland.net. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  2. Reader's Digest Field Guide to the Wild Flowers of Britain. Reader's Digest. 1981. p. 55. ISBN 9780276002175.
  3. "Cochlearia officinalis - L." Plants For A Future. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  4. "Cochlearia officinalis". rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  5. "Taxon: Cochlearia officinalis L." npgsweb.ars-grin.gov. 4 April 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  6. "Brassicaceae Cochlearia officinalis L." ipni.org. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  7. "Cochlearia officinalis L. is an accepted name". theplantlist.org. 23 March 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  8. Stearn, William T. (2004). Botanical Latin. Timber Press (OR). p. 456. ISBN 0-88192-627-2.
  9. Brandrud, Marie K.; Paun, Ovidiu; Lorenzo, Maria T.; Nordal, Inger; Brysting, Anne K. (2017). "RADseq provides evidence for parallel ecotypic divergence in the autotetraploid Cochlearia officinalis in Northern Norway". Scientific Reports. 7 (1): 5573. Bibcode:2017NatSR...7.5573B. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-05794-z. PMC 5514025. PMID 28717144.
  10. "52 WEEKS OF HISTORICAL HOW-TO'S, WEEK 26: BREWING SCURVY GRASS ALE!". 24 April 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
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