Scurvy-grass

Common scurvy-grass (Cochlearia officinalis) growing between the rocks at the top of the beach in Lundin Links. It is not a grass but belongs to the cabbage family. The fleshy leaves have a high content of Vitamin C and before citrus fruits were available, in the days of sailing ships when voyages often took months, the leaves were widely used for the prevention of scurvy on board ship. In Gaelic it is called 'The Sailor' (Am Maraiche).

Scurvy grass flower with four sepals and four white petals forming a cross.

There are two other species of scurvy grass - Danish or early scurvy-grass (Cochlearia danica) and English scurvy-grass (Cochlearia anglica). The three plants hybridise readily so it is difficult to be absolutely sure of identification.