Cardamine glacialis
(G. Forst.) DC.
Scurvy grass
(c) J. Burke Korol, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by J. Burke Korol
(c) María Regina Silva, some rights reserved (CC BY)
(c) María Regina Silva, some rights reserved (CC BY)
What to Eat
Edible parts: Leaves
The leaves are eaten raw and are a good source of vitamin C, with a pungent, peppery flavour.
Where to Find It
It is a temperate plant. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,500 m above sea level.
Argentina, Chile, Falklands, South America,
How to Identify
A cabbage family herb. It keeps growing from year to year. The leaves are 2-15 cm long and have 3-11 leaflets. The flowers are white. The fruit is narrow and 2-4 cm long by 1-2 mm wide.
How to Grow
Propagation: Sow seed in spring in a cold frame; germination typically occurs within 1–3 weeks at 15°C. Once large enough to handle, prick seedlings into individual pots and grow on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame for the first two years, planting out when dormant in late summer. Divide in early spring or after the plant dies back in summer. Large clumps can go straight into permanent positions, while smaller clumps are better potted and grown on in a cold frame before planting out in spring.
Medicinal Uses
The leaves are a good source of vitamin C.
Other Uses
None known.
Wikipedia
A perennial plant 0.3 m in height with hermaphroditic flowers pollinated by insects and capable of self-fertilization. Grows across light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with mildly acidic to mildly alkaline soil pH. Tolerates semi-shade in light woodland or full sun exposure, preferring moist soil conditions.
Notes
There are about 160 Cardamine species. They are mostly in damp places in temperate regions.
References (3)
- Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 161
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- Upson, R., & Lewis R., 2014, Updated Vascular Plant Checklist and Atlas for the Falkland Islands. Falklands Conservation and Kew.
