Northern shorewort (Mertensia maritima, Nat. Arr. Brit. Pl. 2: 354 (1821 publ. 1822))

Family: Boraginaceae

Author: (L.) Gray

Bibliography: Nat. Arr. Brit. Pl. 2: 354 (1821 publ. 1822)

Year: 1822

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Mertensia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Subarctic to NE. U.S.A.

Description

Northern shorewort, scientifically known as Mertensia maritima, is a fascinating plant species belonging to the Boraginaceae family. First described in 1821 and published in 1822 in the prestigious work Natural Arrangement of British Plants by L. Gray, this perennial herb has garnered attention for its unique adaptations and ecological niche.

The plant is indigenous to subarctic regions and has a geographic range extending to the northeastern United States. Its presence in such cold and often harsh environments speaks to its resilience and specialized growth requirements. Northern shorewort is particularly noted for thriving in coastal areas, where sandy and saline conditions prevail.

Northern shorewort typically exhibits succulent-like leaves that are fleshy and bluish-green, a characteristic that aids in water storage and tolerance to salty conditions. The plant bears delicate, bell-shaped flowers which are a soft blue, transitioning to pink as they mature. This color change is not merely an aesthetic trait but also plays a role in attracting a variety of pollinators, thus ensuring the plant’s reproductive success.

The flowering period of Mertensia maritima usually spans the summer months, when the Arctic sun provides the most warmth and light, promoting robust growth and flowering. Despite its beauty and ecological importance, Northern shorewort faces threats from habitat disturbance, climate change, and shoreline development, which can disrupt its delicate growing conditions.

In summary, Northern shorewort is a hardy, visually striking plant with a significant ecological role in coastal and subarctic regions. Understanding and preserving this unique species remain vital for maintaining the biodiversity and health of its native habitats.

Common Names

Dan: almindelig hestetunge, hestetunge
Deu: austernpflanze, mertensie
Eng: northern shorewort, oysterleaf, oysterplant, sea-bugloss, sea-lungwort, seaside smooth-gromwell, sea bluebells, sea lungwort, sea mertensia, seaside bluebells
Swe: ostronört, fjärva
Fra: pulmonaire de virginie, sanguine de mer, mertensie maritime
Sme: skálžoruohtas, fievrahilsku
Cym: glesyn y morlan, llus y llymarch, llys y llymarch, llys yr ysgyfaint arfor, llysiau’r llymarch, llysiau’r ysgyfaint arfor
En: Northern shorewort, Oysterplant, Seaside smooth-gromwell, Sea-bugloss, Sea-lungwort, Oysterleaf, Sea bluebells, Sea lungwort, Sea mertensia, Seaside bluebells
Da: Almindelig hestetunge, Hestetunge
Fr: Pulmonaire de virginie, Sanguine de mer, Mertensie maritime
De: Mertensie, Austernpflanze
Ja: Hama-benkei-sō
Se: Skálžoruohtas, Fievrahilsku
Ru: Mertenziya morskaya
Sv: Ostronört, Fjärva
Cy: Glesyn y Morlan, Llus y Llymarch, Llys y Llymarch, Llys yr Ysgyfaint Arfor, Llysiau’r Llymarch, Llysiau’r Ysgyfaint Arfor

Synonyms

• Pneumaria maritima ((L.) Hill)
• Hippoglossum maritimum ((L.) Hartm.)
• Pulmonaria maritima (L.)
• Lithospermum maritimum ((L.) Lehm.)
• Cerinthodes maritimum ((L.) Kuntze)
• Steenhammera maritima ((L.) Rchb.)
• Casselia maritima ((L.) Dumort.)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• Finland (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Québec (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Svalbard (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jan 30, 2022 by Bella J Posey (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 20, 2022 by Xavier Godin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2021 by Deborah Welch (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2019 by Bart Demeestere (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2021 by Piaggio Juan (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Sep 3, 2022 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 28, 2021 by André Hyvrier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 23, 2019 by Jean-Marie Raisin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 9, 2021 by Kimberly (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2019 by Bart Demeestere (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 10, 2020 by Thierry LE COM (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 25, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 18, 2019 by Bianca Legault (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 3, 2022 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2019 by victoria green (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5341246)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:118618-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Mertensia maritima (L.) Gray)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth