Cochlearia danica   Danish Scurveygrass CC D N

Cochlearia danica leaves Cochlearia danica close Cochlearia danica fruit

This is a plants whose distribution has changed hugely over the last 20 years. Quite suddenly it started to appear on the central reservations of some dual carriageways and motorways until now there can scarcely be a major road in England without its share of C. danica. Its leaves are full of Vitamin C and was used to cure Scurvy in the middle ages.

In Ireland and Scotland this plant is still mostly coastal and quite common but in England it is common throughout. In Wales it is not found much on the high central ground.

LHS: Verge of A580 near St Helens, 9th March 2005 Others: Great Orme 24th April 2008

Added on 9th March 2005, updated 4th December 2008, updated 19th March 2010

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