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Oysterplant - Sea Bluebells - Printable Version

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Oysterplant - Sea Bluebells - Veggie - 14-07-2024

Since we have a Samphire growalong with SC, I thought I'd introduce another coastal, edible plant to tempt you. 
Official name - Mertensia maritima - common name Oyster leaf, Oysterplant, Sea Bluebells, Sea Lungwort. Lots of names for this one! Said to have a distinctive salty taste with slightly, crunchy, fleshy green leaves, reminiscent of eating oysters!
It grows wild in Scotland, SC, one for you to look out for on your walks.

I have some Pennard seeds, from a seed swap https://www.pennardplants.com/proddetail.php?prod=Seed1170 Other suppliers are available including those we love to hate. 
Some pretty pictures at https://www.wildflowerfinder.org.uk/Flowers/O/Oysterplant/Oysterplant.htm


RE: Oysterplant - Sea Bluebells - Small chilli - 15-07-2024

I’m very tempted to join you Veggie.

I’ve just found this. https://botsocscot.wordpress.com/2021/06/06/plant-of-the-week-june-7th-2021-oyster-plant-mertensia-maritima/
Very interesting. According to the map it’s around our loch here. I’ve never noticed it, if it’s still here. I won’t be harvesting any if I do find it. After reading about its decline. It look like quite an easy plant to spot. With its beautiful blue/grey/ green leaves and spreading habitat.

Yes, very tempted


RE: Oysterplant - Sea Bluebells - Veggie - 15-07-2024

May I be so bold as to suggest that you, SC, create a "Maritime" bed where you grow Samphire, Sea bluebells and other coastal plants - ?sea kale, sea holly, thrift etc. I think it would be perfect for your location.


RE: Oysterplant - Sea Bluebells - Small chilli - 15-07-2024

That would look lovely. I’m not sure if they could all go in a bed together. Chiltern seeds. Says oyster plant is very prone to slug attack. So I took the massive leap that you don’t use saltwater? Which confuses me a little. Even though the rest of the coastal plants may not grow as close to the saltwater as samphire. I’d thought they’d still take in a small amount?
I can picture a much smaller version of the cottage garden with little individual beds of the coastal plants with shell path between.
I need to give this som thought.