Cochlearia danica

Cochlearia danica, or Danish scurvygrass,[1] is a flowering plant of the genus Cochlearia in the family Brassicaceae.

"Danish scurvygrass" redirects here. The term may also refer to Cochlearia groenlandica.

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

A salt-tolerant (normally) coastal plant which is now flourishing along roads and motorways in Europe, especially under the crash barriers in the central reservation. Its success has been attributed to its ability to survive the effects of salts distributed by gritters in winter and its small seeds being spread by the high speed of cars in the fast lane.[2]

Full of vitamin C, it gets its name from sailors chewing it to avoid scurvy. The mauve flowers are 4-5mm in diameter.[3]

  • Cochlearia danica illustrated by E. Hallier 1883 .
    Cochlearia danica illustrated by E. Hallier 1883 .
  • Scurvy-grass growing in the central reservation of the A1120 in the UK.
    Scurvy-grass growing in the central reservation of the A1120 in the UK.
  • Cochlearia danica, flower
    Cochlearia danica, flower
  • Cochlearia danica growing in its natural habitat, the shingle zone of a marine beach
    Cochlearia danica growing in its natural habitat, the shingle zone of a marine beach

References
  1. BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  2. Danish scurvy grass thrives in gritted road conditions BBC News Wales, 21 January 2013
  3. Danish Scurvy Grass, Plant Identification.co.uk, accessed February 2011
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