''Cochlearia danica'', or Danish scurvygrass, is a

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (). The term angiosperm is derived from the Ancient Greek, Greek words (; 'container, vessel') and (; 'seed'), meaning that the seeds are enclosed with ...

of the genus ''

Cochlearia ''Cochlearia'' (scurvy-grass or spoonwort) is a genus of about 30 species of annual and perennial herbs in the family Brassicaceae. They are widely distributed in temperate and arctic areas of the northern hemisphere, most commonly found in c ...

'' in the family

Brassicaceae Brassicaceae () or (the older but equally valid) Cruciferae () is a medium-sized and economically important Family (biology), family of flowering plants commonly known as the mustards, the crucifers, or the cabbage family. Most are herbaceous pla ...

. 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. Full of

vitamin C Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid and ascorbate) is a water-soluble vitamin found in citrus and other fruits, berries and vegetables. It is also a generic prescription medication and in some countries is sold as a non-prescription di ...

, it gets its name from sailors chewing it to avoid

scurvy Scurvy is a deficiency disease (state of malnutrition) resulting from a lack of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Early symptoms of deficiency include weakness, fatigue, and sore arms and legs. Without treatment, anemia, decreased red blood cells, gum d ...

. The mauve flowers are 4-5mm in diameter.Danish Scurvy Grass
Plant Identification.co.uk, accessed February 2011

Image gallery

File:Cochlearia danica.JPG, Cochlearia danica illustrated by E. Hallier 1883 . File:Scurvy-grass - geograph.org.uk - 730339.jpg , Scurvy-grass growing in the central reservation of the A1120 in the UK. File:Cochlearia danica 01.jpg, Cochlearia danica, flower File:Cochlearia danica01.jpg, Cochlearia danica growing in its natural habitat, the shingle zone of a marine beach

References

danica Plants described in 1753 Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus {{Brassicales-stub