ABSTRACT
In North America, scurvy grass is distributed along the Arctic coast, from Greenland to Newfoundland to Alaska, and down the West and Atlantic coasts of Canada. Isolated colonies are found on the coasts of the states of Washington, Oregon, and California. Scurvy grass is a northern, salt-tolerant sea-beach plant that thrives near nesting sites of sea birds, where their droppings accumulate. The classification of Cochlearia species is problematical, particularly concerning the relationships of North American and European circumpolar and subarctic forms. Scurvy grass is sometimes grown as a salad plant and pot herb with a warm flavor reminiscent of cress, although opinions differ on its palatability. The possibility of developing scurvy grass into a commercial crop is quite limited but not as improbable as might appear on first consideration for a plant that has generally been reported as unpleasant in taste.
