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spoonwort
Scientific Name: Cochlearia officinalis
Family: Brassicaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Scurvy-grass (Cochlearia spp.)
Scurvy-grass, also known as scurvygrass or spoonwort, belongs to the genus Cochlearia, encompassing approximately 30 species of annual and perennial herbs.
Considerations for Pets
- While the text mentions no known hazards, it is important to note that the plant is also known as *Cochlearia officinalis*, which contains the word *officinalis*, indicating a former medicinal use. Even though no toxicity is mentioned, it would be prudent to prevent animals from ingesting large quantities of this plant.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Cochlearia spp. Some texts refer to Cochlearia officinalis.
- Common Names: Scurvy-grass, scurvygrass, spoonwort
- Family: Brassicaceae (also known as Cruciferae)
Distribution and Habitat
- Scurvy-grass is typically found on sea cliffs and coastal areas.
- Specifically, Cochlearia officinalis flourishes in the wild in proximity to sea coasts of the northern continents.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- The genus Cochlearia includes both annual and perennial herbs.
Historical Context
- The name "spoonwort" is a translation of the Dutch words "lepelblad" or "lepelkruid."
- The plant was known as Spoon-wort in English and had a Latin name in 1725, owing to its use as a scurvy grass.
Quirky Facts
- There exists a "Purple Spoonwort" (Pleurozia purpurea) which is actually a liverwort that thrives in damp moorland near the Atlantic, such as in Orkney.