26 
WILD FLOWERS OF THE BRITISH ISLES 
divided lengthwise into 2 cells by a thin partition, to either side of which the seeds are attached, 
the shell opening from base to apex by 2 valves (silicula), the seeds being usually in 2 rows in both 
cells. Smooth herbs with undivided (simple) often fleshy leaves, growing in or near the seashore. 
This genus received its name of Scurvy-grass in the days before steamships, in consequence 
of its frequent use by sailors suffering from scurvy, that disease being caused by the impossibility 
of obtaining fresh vegetables on a voyage. 
Common Scurvy-grass. (Cochlearia officinalis, Linn.)— As just described. The 
flowers white, J— § inch across ; pods round, tapering at the apex into the style. The stems 
4-10 inches long, fleshy, brittle, ascending or decumbent; the root leaves on long stalks, 
roundish, heart-shaped at the base, \-2 inches across, and those of the stem egg-shaped (ovate) or 
oblong, the uppermost stalkless (sessile). [ Plate 15. 
Common. Muddy sea-shores and the banks of tidal rivers. May — June. Annual. 
Alpine Scurvy-grass. (Cochlearia alpina, H.C.Wats.)— A similar but smaller plant 
with less round pods, narrowed at both ends. 
Rare. Mountains. May — July. Annual. 
Danish Scurvy-grass. (Cochlearia danica, Linn.) — Another small and similar plant, 
with stalked, triangular leaves, and egg-shaped pods. 
Fairly common. Muddy or sandy sea-shores. . May — August. Annual. 
Cochlearia micacea, Marshall, with fleshy leaves, and 
Cochlearia grcenlandica, Linn, with large flowers with long-clawed petals, are also 
occasionally found. 
English Scurvy-grass. (Cochlearia anglica, Linn.) — Much larger and more erect than 
any other English Scurvy-grass. Flowers larger than in the Common Scurvy-grass (Cochlearia 
officinalis), pods oval ; stems 3-12 inches high ; leaves oval or oblong, those of the root (radical) on 
very long stalks ; those of the upper stem stalkless (sessile), half clasping the stem (semi-amplexicaul). 
Common. Muddy sea-shores. May — August. Annual. 
*Horse-radish. (Cochlearia Armoracia, Linn.) — Not a native. Flowers f inch across, 
white, in numerous clusters together forming a fairly flat cluster (corymb). Pods rarely ripening in 
England. [As described in the genus Scurvy-grass (Cochlearia).] Stems 2-3 feet high or 
even taller, erect and stout; the root leaves 8-12 inches long, on long stalks, oblong, scalloped, 
wavy, and the stem leaves stalkless (sessile) or nearly so, lance-shaped and toothed. The root, 
long, tapering, stout, white, and possessing very pungent properties. 
A common escape from gardens. By the sides of rivers and in waste places. May — June. 
Perennial. 
•GOLD OF PLEASURE. (CAMELINA, CRANTZ.)— A genus not native to Britain, very 
similar to the Scurvy-grass (Cochlearia), differing in its yellow flowers and in its seeds. 
•Common Gold of Pleasure. (Camelina sativa, Crantz.)— An escape from cultivation. 
Flowers | inch across, yellow, in clusters ; pods oval, slightly compressed, with the seeds in 
2 rows in each cell; stem i|-2 feet high, slender, the upper part branched; the lower leaves 
lance-shaped and the upper clasping the stem with winged bases (auricled). 
Very rare. An escape found in flax-fields in England and Ireland. May — June. Annual. 
SHEPHERD’S PURSE. (BURSA, WEBER.) — Flowers very small, white, in a short, flat cluster 
(corymb), lengthening in fruit. Sepals 4, erect, not pouched ; petals 4, entire ; stamens 6, in pairs, 
one pair shorter than the other two ; carpels 2, style short and remaining with the fruit (per- 
