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Cochlearia officinalis

Cochlearia officinalis
Common scurvygrass, Spoonwort

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A medicinal and culinary plant from the Brassicaceae family, just like mustard. It is perennial or biennial depending on the climate and growing conditions. Its small round and thick concave leaves have earned it the name "Spoonwort". Its leaves are rich in vitamins. They boast a spicy and slightly bitter taste, and are used as a condiment to enhance salads, raw vegetables, and omelettes. Sow the seeds directly in place between April and September. Harvest from November to March.
Ease of cultivation
Beginner
Height at maturity
30 cm
Spread at maturity
15 cm
Soil moisture
Moist soil
Germination time (days)
20 days
Sowing method
Direct sowing
Sowing period April to June
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Flowering time April to July
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Harvest time January to March, November to December
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Description

Cochlearia officinalis is a medicinal and aromatic plant known as scurvygrass, spoonwort, officinal watercress, or officinal horseradish. It is cultivated for its foliage, which has a spicy, pungent, and slightly bitter flavour. It is used as a condiment similar to chives or even as a mustard substitute. Its leaves are rich in vitamin C. Sow the seeds directly in place, between April and September, in rich and well-drained garden soil. Sow in full sun or partial shade. The leaves can be harvested as needed throughout winter.

 

Cochlearia officinalis belongs to the Brassicaceae family, just like mustard or watercress. This small plant is resistant to frost, behaving as a perennial or biennial depending on the climate and growing conditions. It has a rapid growth rate. This species is found not only near the ocean but also increasingly along roads subjected to winter salting, as it thrives in salty soils. The plant forms a clump measuring about 25cm (10in) in all directions. It develops upright and leafy stems. The leaves at the base have long petioles, while the smaller leaves on the stems are sheathing. All leaves are tough, dark green, with slightly upturned edges (hence the name spoonwort). This foliage is rich in vitamin C. Flowering occurs from March to July, depending on the sowing date. It takes the form of slightly fragrant white flowers measuring about 1cm in diameter, clustered together. After pollination by insects, fruits called siliculas form, containing small kidney-shaped seeds.

Culinary use: the leaves have a pungent and spicy flavour reminiscent of horseradish. They are used raw, in small quantities, to enhance salads or raw vegetables, for example with garlic and parsley. Spoonwort also adds flavour to omelettes. 

Properties: antiscorbutic, detoxifying, sudorific, diuretic, cholagogic, rubefacient, digestive, and tonic. Prepare the leaves as an infusion.

Harvest: the leaves are harvested from November to March during mild weather.

Storage: consume quickly or chop the leaves and freeze them. Treat them as you would parsley and chives.

Gardener's tip: keep the soil slightly moist, but not waterlogged. Beware of slug and snail attacks in spring and autumn.

Cochlearia officinalis in pictures

Cochlearia officinalis  (Flowering) Flowering

Harvest

Harvest time January to March, November to December
Type of vegetable Leaf vegetable
Vegetable colour green
Size of vegetable Small
Interest Flavour, Nutritional value
Flavour spicy
Use Table

Plant habit

Height at maturity 30 cm
Spread at maturity 15 cm
Growth rate normal

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour dark green
Aromatic? Fragrant foliage when creased

Botanical data

Genus

Cochlearia

Species

officinalis

Family

Brassicaceae

Other common names

Common scurvygrass, Spoonwort

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Annual / Perennial

Annual

Product reference169441

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Planting and care

Sowing

Sow by broadcasting or in rows 25cm (10in) apart. Dig a furrow 1cm deep, place the seeds at the bottom of the furrow, then cover with fine soil or compost. Firm with the back of a rake, and then water.

Thin out the young plants when they reach 10cm (4in) and keep one every 25cm (10in).

Plant in a sunny or semi-shaded position, in light, well-drained soil that remains slightly moist.

 

Maintenance

Regularly hoe and weed. Water moderately. Beware of slug and snail attacks in early spring and early autumn.

 

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Seedlings

Sowing period April to June
Sowing method Direct sowing
Germination time (days) 20 days

Care

Soil moisture Tolerant
Disease resistance Very good
Pruning No pruning necessary

Intended location

Type of use Vegetable garden
Hardiness Hardy down to -20°C (USDA zone 6b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Soil light
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Neutral, Any
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), 130

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