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Cochlearia danica

Danish scurvy-grass

Brassicaceae Western and northern Europe

Overview

Cochlearia danica is a small annual or winter-annual in the cabbage family Brassicaceae, forming a low, branching, often sprawling plant 2-8 inches (5-20 cm) tall and 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) across. The lowest leaves are long-stalked, ivy-shaped, and slightly fleshy, 0.2-0.8 inch (5-20 mm) long, while the stem leaves are smaller and often stalkless. From January to June it produces masses of small four-petalled flowers 0.1-0.2 inch (3-5 mm) across, white to pale lilac or mauve, followed by short egg-shaped seed pods. It germinates in autumn, overwinters as a small rosette, and flowers and dies within a year. The species is native to the coasts of western and northern Europe, on shingle, dunes, cliffs, walls, and other dry, open ground, often where salt accumulates. Since the late twentieth century it has spread far inland along the salted central reservations and verges of major roads, forming white ribbons of flower in early spring. Its short life and need for open, salty or disturbed ground mean it does not persist in closed, fertile turf.

Native Range

Native to the coasts of western and northern Europe, from Scandinavia and the Baltic south to Spain and Portugal. It grows on shingle beaches, sand dunes, sea cliffs, walls, and bare saline ground, and has spread inland along the salt-treated verges of motorways and trunk roads.

Suggested Uses

Grown rarely, mainly in coastal, gravel, and wildlife gardens, or wherever an early-flowering salt-tolerant annual suits dry, open ground. It self-sows on gravel drives, paths, and wall tops to give early spring flower. It is more often noticed as a wild colonist of road verges than as a planted subject.

How to Identify

A small, sprawling annual with long-stalked, ivy-shaped, slightly fleshy lower leaves and loose heads of tiny white to mauve four-petalled flowers in late winter and spring. The ivy-shaped basal leaves separate it from common scurvygrass Cochlearia officinalis, which has more rounded, kidney-shaped leaves and larger flowers. The small egg-shaped seed pods are held on slender stalks along the stems.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2" - 8"

Width/Spread4" - 8"

Colors

Flower Colors

white

purple

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~20 weeks

Winter Spring Summer

Flowering is early and long, running from January to June and peaking in March and April, when roadside colonies turn white. The small flowers are visited by early bees and flies, and self-pollination is also common. Seed pods ripen quickly, and the plant completes its life cycle by early summer.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white to mauve

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.5 - 8.0(Alkaline)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Cochlearia danica grows in full sun on dry, free-draining, open soils, including sand, shingle, gravel, and disturbed ground, and tolerates high salt levels that suppress competing plants. It is an annual raised only from seed, which germinates in autumn to overwinter as a rosette before flowering the following spring. In gardens it is seldom cultivated deliberately and needs no feeding or watering, persisting only where the ground stays open and is not shaded out by larger plants. Salt is not required but reduces competition and favours its spread. Plants set abundant seed and may self-sow on gravel, paths, and walls. Once flowering finishes the whole plant dies and is easily pulled up.