Practical
Plants

Mertensia maritima

Oyster Plant

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.2 m
Spread
0.15 m
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects? Self

Uses

Edible uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[4][5]. They are said to taste of oysters[12]. No-one has yet noticed a resemblance to oysters though not many of the tasters have ever eaten oysters! The flavour is fairly bland, the leaf is thick and has a very mucilaginous texture - it is probably this texture that reminds people of oysters[K]. Root[8][11][13][2]. Eaten by the Inuit of Alaska[5][10]. Flowers - raw[4].

Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root

Environment

Range
Throughout the temperate regions of both hemispheres, including Britain.
Habitat
Shingle by the sea[3]. Uncommon and declining[7].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - sow as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Spring sown seed is also successful[K]. Germination usually takes place within a month. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in April or early September. With care since the plant resents root disturbance.

Cultivation

Thrives in nutritionally poor sandy or gravelly soils in a sunny position[7]. Requires a very well-drained soil[6]. Dislikes shade[9]. Plants are resentful of root disturbance and should be planted out into their permanent positions as soon as possible[7]. This species is not very easy to cultivate[1]. Plants are very susceptible to slug damage[188, K]

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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  4. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩1↩2

  5. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  6. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

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  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Sholto-Douglas. J. Alternative Foods.

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  9. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

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  10. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

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  11. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  12. Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5

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  13. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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