Thank you to Sheryl Thomson Landreth who identified these beautiful white flowers on the merse by Glencaple Quay via our Facebook Page!
Scurvygrass (or Cochlearia officinalis to give it the botanical name) was known to cure scurvy until the middle of the nineteenth century when citrus fruit rich in vitamin C was more easily available.
It was dried or distilled and taken on board ships to relieve the symptoms of scurvy (including bleeding gums, joint pain and breathing difficulties). It’s bitter taste was disguised with herbs and spices. Scurvygrass drinks and sandwiches were popular in those times too!
Scurvygrass also has antiseptic properties, so an altogether useful plant… The specific term officinalis is Latin and translates to ‘official’ – a description that was applied to many plants that were deemed to be of high pharmaceutical value.
They were totally submerged in yesterdays high tide, but thrive in saline conditions – they can even be found on roadside verges where winter salting is enough to satisfy their salty cravings!
It really is worth getting a bit closer as they really do smell quite lovely – even if you’re not up for a wee nibble to boost your levels of vitamin C!
