Scurvy-grass (Cochlearia officinalis, Sp. Pl.: 647 (1753))

Family: Brassicaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 647 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cochlearia

Vegetable: False

Observations: N. & W. Europe

Description

Scurvy-grass, scientifically known as Cochlearia officinalis, is a notable plant found primarily in Northern and Western Europe. This resilient herbaceous plant is a member of the Brassicaceae family, a diverse group that also includes mustard and cabbage. Botanically documented by Linnaeus in 1753 under the entry “Sp. Pl.: 647”, Cochlearia officinalis has a long-standing history of both medicinal and ecological significance.

This perennial plant boasts broad, rounded leaves that are thick and fleshy, adapting well to its typically harsh, coastal environments. The leaves form a basal rosette, from which flower stalks arise, bearing clusters of small, white, four-petaled flowers. These blooms are characteristic of the Brassicaceae family and add to the plant’s subtle beauty.

Scurvy-grass holds a significant place in medical history due to its high vitamin C content. During the era of long sea voyages, sailors consumed the plant to prevent scurvy, a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency, hence its common name. The bitter, peppery taste of the leaves was a small price to pay for the health benefits they offered and ensured the plant’s reputation as an essential remedy for seafarers.

Ecologically, Cochlearia officinalis plays a crucial role in its native habitats. It thrives in saline, nutrient-poor soils where few other plants can survive, thus contributing to the biodiversity of these coastal regions. Its presence helps to stabilize soil and provides food and habitat for various insects and pollinators.

In modern times, while not as widely used medicinally, Scurvy-grass continues to be of interest for its nutritional properties and potential applications in natural remedies. It also piques the interest of botanists and ecologists who study its adaptation mechanisms and role within its ecosystem.

Scurvy-grass, with its historical significance and ecological importance, remains a fascinating subject for study and appreciation, embodying both the resilience of nature and the intertwined history of plants and human health.

Common Names

Swe: citronmålla, foderspärgel, silvermålla, vårtsärv, rohtokuirimo, skörbjuggsört, åkernejlika
Deu: echtes löffelkraut, löffelkraut
Nor: finmarke-kaal, cochleare, skiørbugs-græs, stort-ericsgræs
Dan: foder-spergel, konellike, læge-kokleare, vellugtende gåsefod
Por: cocleária, cocleária-maior, erva-das-colheres
Eng: common scurvy-grass, scurvy-grass, spoonwort, common scurvygrass, scurvey grass
Fra: cranson, herbe aux cuillère
Spa: cucharita
Nld: engels lepelblad en echt lepelblad, echt lepelblad, echt en engels lepelblad
Ces: lži
Fin: rohtokuirimo
Nno: skjørbuksurt
Nob: skjørbuksurt
Sme: skurbbetrássi
Cym: dail ysgyrfi, lleynlys, lleynlys cyffredin, llwglys, llwyllys, llwylys cyffredin, llwylys meddygol, llys y llwy, llysiau’r llwg, llysiau’r llwy, morlwyau, morlwyau cyffredin, morlwyau meddygol, ysgyrfi-lys
Gla: biolar trá
En: Scurvy-grass, Spoonwort, Common scurvy-grass, Common scurvygrass, Scurvey grass
Ar: تودري
Ca: Herba de la cullera
Zh: 岩荠
Cs: Lžičník lékařský, Lži
Da: Lægekokleare, Læge-Kokleare, Foder-spergel, Konellike, Vellugtende gåsefod
Nl: Echt lepelblad, Echt en Engels lepelblad, Engels lepelblad en echt lepelblad, Lepelkruid
Eo: Skorbutherbo
Et: Ürt-merisalat
Fi: Rohtokuirimo, Ruijankuirimo
Fr: Cranson, Herbe aux cuillère, Cochléaire Officinale, Cranson Officinal, Herbe aux Cuillères
De: Löffelkraut, Echtes Löffelkraut, Löffelblättchen, Löffelkresse, Skorbutkraut
Is: Skarfakál
It: Coclearia medicinale
Se: Skurbbetrássi
No: Skjørbuksurt, Finmarke-kaal, Cochleare, Skiørbugs-græs, Stort-ericsgræs
Nb: Skjørbuksurt
Nn: Skjørbuksurt
Pl: Warzucha Lekarska
Pt: Cocleária, Cocleária-maior, Erva-das-colheres
Gd: Biolar trá
Sr: Кашикара
Es: Cucharita, Coclearia, Hierba de Cucharas
Sv: Skörbjuggsört, Citronmålla, Foderspärgel, Silvermålla, Vårtsärv, Rohtokuirimo, Åkernejlika
Tr: Kaşık otu
Uk: Ложечниця лікарська
Cy: Llwylys cyffredin, Dail Ysgyrfi, Lleynlys, Lleynlys Cyffredin, Llwglys, Llwyllys, Llwylys Meddygol, Llys y Llwy, Llysiau’r Llwg, Llysiau’r Llwy, Morlwyau, Morlwyau Cyffredin, Morlwyau Meddygol, Ysgyrfi-Lys

Synonyms

• Cochlearia officinalis var. typica (G.Andersson & Hesselman)
• Cochlearia rotundifolia (Gray)
• Crucifera cochlearia var. officinalis ((L.) E.H.L.Krause)

Distribution

• Baltic States (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Denmark (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Norway (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Falkland Is. (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Khabarovsk (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Mar 24, 2022 by Emmanuel Stum (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2022 by Joey F (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 28, 2021 by Styna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2020 by Stephen Thompson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2014 by Henk Van Lottum (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 7, 2021 by Hendrik van Tilburg (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2022 by Imre Janszen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 23, 2019 by love rose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2021 by Gestný Rós (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2021 by Gestný Rós (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 17, 2010 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 23, 2022 by Fero Looxi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 5, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Jean François Arnould (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Brigitte MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Brigitte MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Brigitte MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Dany ROUSSEL (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Oct 8, 2022 by Lars Wingqvist (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2000 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jun 19, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

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

Taken Apr 17, 2006 by Tela Botanica − Laurent PETIT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5373276)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:281469-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cochlearia officinalis L.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Bloom months: [‘mar’, ‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 6

Soil salinity: 7