scurvy grass

noun

a plant, Cochlearia officinalis, of the mustard family, purported to be a remedy for scurvy.

scurvy grass

any of various plants of the genus Cochlearia, esp C. officinalis, of Europe and North America, formerly used to treat scurvy: family Brassicaceae (crucifers)

First recorded in 1590–1600

From the clarified juice of fresh scurvy-grass, by exposure to warm air.

The scurvy-grass and wild celery, moreover, enable “the doctor” to turn out more than one variety of soup.

We ate it frequently raw, and found it almost like the New Zealand scurvy grass.

They found here, too, what was more valuable—the scurvy grass.

Innumerable sheep, the familiar Cheviots and Southdowns, graze upon the wild scurvy-grass and sorrel.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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