Coastal Restoration Trust of New Zealand

Coastal Dune Ecosystem Reference Database

To what New Zealand plant does the vernacular "Scurvy grass" refer Journal Paper

Author
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.
Year
1996
Journal / Source
New Zealand Journal of Botany
Volume
34
Number
3
Pages
417-420
Keywords
Vernacular names, scurvy grass, Lepidium, L. oleraceum
Summary
The term "scurvy grass" is used widely in New Zealand as a vernacular for the formerly widespread brassicaceous herb Lepidium oleraceum. We show that historical usage of this vernacular was not necessarily confined to this species or genus, thereby illustrating the need for caution in using historical accounts to help determine past abundance, ecology, and distribution.