Description
Cochlearia officinalis x C. officinalis ssp. scotia, Scurvygrass, Biolar trá.
General:
Cochlearia officinalis x C. officinalis ssp. scotia, Scurvygrass, Biolar trá. A herb from the Brassicaceae family, with our population originally collected from J 57 37 and grown on by us here in Co. Down, showing perennial qualities. Generally the species are recorded as Cochlearia officinalis agg. (however the two other commoner species which hybridise with officinalis, namely C. pyrenaica and C. micacea are not recorded as present in our collecting location).
Our plants each show distinct qualities of C. officinalis and C. officinalis ssp scotia. Our original collection must have been hybridised, ie. the seeds were hybridised, this is a naturally occuring event, common along our coast. The main visible difference between the two being size. C. officinalis ssp scotia is much smaller than C. officinalis. It is because of this it is questionable whether scotia is rare or rather just under recorded. Flowering from May to August, with four small daisy-like petals that come in white or lilac along with heart or kidney shaped leaves.
Benefits:
Noted for attracting wildlife as well as being frost hardy.
Habitat:
It grows in a variety of coastal habitats including saltmarshes, coastal cliffs and walls, rocky, muddy seashores, sand dunes along with short, grazed grassland on cliff-tops.
Sowing guidelines:
Grow in a range of light from full sun to half shade and as long as its well drained, will accept a range of soils. Can be easily propigated by divisions and will gently self sow. Sow outdoors in spring from March to May and in August for autumn growing.
Cultural history:
Rich in Vitamin C, before citrus fruits became readily available, it was noticed that scurvygrass cured scurvy. Taken aboard many ships in dried bundles or distilled extracts, hence where it gets its name from! Its very bitter taste was usually disguised with herbs and spices. Native to Ireland and Britain.
Avg contents: 80 seeds.
