Oyster plant, Sea bugloss, Sea bluebell, Sea lungwort
Mertensia maritima

Family: Boraginaceae

What it is like

A herb that keeps growing from year to year. It grows along the ground and forms bushy mats. The stems are 10-25 cm long. The leaves are smooth and without hairs. They are thick and fleshy and has a waxy covering. They are bluish-grey and spoon shaped. The flowering stems are branched and lie along the ground and turn up at the tips. The flowers are 6 mm wide and pink but become blue. They are bell shaped. The fruit is a small hard nut.

There are 50 Mertensia species. It is becoming scarce.

Where it is found

It is a cold temperate plant. It grows on gravelly and sometimes sandy beaches. It suits hardiness zones 3-7.

Countries/locations it is found in

Alaska, Australia, Britain, Canada, Europe, Greenland, Iceland, North America, Norway, Russia, Scandinavia, Siberia, USA

How it is used for food

The fleshy leaves are eaten raw or cooked. They are often cooked with eggs. They can be added to salads. The underground stems or rhizomes are eaten.

Edible parts

Flowers, leaves, root

How it is grown

Seeds can be carried in sea water and germinate amongst seaweed.

Its other names

Local names

Ciunerturpat, Gromwell, Mytknagrak, Neqnirliar, Ostersurt, Oysterleaf

Synonyms

Casselia maritima (L.) Dumort.; Casselia parviflora Dumort; Pulmonaria maritima L.; and others