Tuesday 1 May 2012

Common Scurvy Grass - Saligo

Common Scurvy Grass (Cochlearia officinalis) is abundant on the wet Machair south of Saligo at the moment.  It is a member of the cabbage family.  Captain Cook carried it on his ship, correctly believing that eating it would provide protection from scurvy.  Sadly, nobody else in authority believed him and thousands continued to die from vitamin C deficiencies caused by poor diet on long voyages.

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