Mertensia maritima

Mertensia maritima
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: (unplaced)
Family: Boraginaceae
Genus: Mertensia
Species: M. maritima
Binomial name
Mertensia maritima
(L.) Gray

Mertensia maritima a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common names oysterleaf, oysterplant or sea bluebells.

It grows on gravel ground in the Northern hemisphere, reaching north to the northern parts of Canada, Greenland and Svalbard.

It is a perennial herb producing a stem approaching 50 centimeters in maximum length. The inflorescence forms a cluster of flowers which are first reddish, and later bright blue. It is found on Shetland where it is called "oysterplant" because leaves taste of oyster.[1][2]

References

  1. Godal, Anne Marit (ed.). "østersurt". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Norsk nettleksikon. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  2. "Plants Profile". United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
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