Lepidium oleraceum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lepidium oleraceum |
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| Conservation status | |
 Nationally Vulnerable (NZ TCS) |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Lepidium
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| Species: |
oleraceum
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| Synonyms | |
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Lepidium oleraceum is a special plant found only in New Zealand. It's a type of herb, like a leafy green vegetable. People often call it Cook's scurvy grass. In the Māori language, it has names like nau, ngau, naunau and heketara. This plant is part of the Brassicaceae family, which also includes plants like cabbage and broccoli. Its scientific name, oleraceum, comes from Latin and means 'vegetable' or 'herbal'.
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Plant Classification: What is Lepidium oleraceum?
Plants are grouped into families, just like your own family. This helps scientists understand how they are related. Lepidium oleraceum belongs to the Brassicaceae family. This family is known for its plants that often have a slightly peppery taste.
Scientists also divide plants into different types, called varieties. Lepidium oleraceum has three main varieties. These varieties might look a little different from each other.
Where Does Cook's Scurvy Grass Live?
This plant is native to the coastal areas of New Zealand. You can find it on the North and South Islands. It also grows on many smaller islands around New Zealand. These include Stewart Island, the Three Kings Islands, and the Chatham Islands.
Even though it used to be found everywhere along the coast, it's now mostly found in special places. These places are usually small islands or rocky stacks off the main coast. This helps protect the plant from things that might harm it.
Why Is This Plant in Danger?
The small groups of Lepidium oleraceum plants are very threatened. This means they are in danger of disappearing. One big reason is that there are fewer seabirds. These birds help the plant by making the soil rich and disturbed, which is perfect for the plant to grow.
Many other things can also harm the plant. Animals like livestock, rodents, and snails like to eat it. Different insects also munch on its leaves. These include aphids, leaf miners, and the diamondback moth. Even a type of butterfly, the small cabbage white butterfly, can cause problems. The plant can also get sick from a fungus-like disease called white rust.
James Cook and the Scurvy Grass
The famous explorer James Cook knew about this plant. During his long sea voyages, many sailors got sick with scurvy. Scurvy is a serious illness caused by not getting enough vitamin C. Cook looked for plants that could help his crew.
In 1769, while visiting Tolaga Bay in New Zealand, Cook wrote in his journal. He said he collected a lot of "scurvy grass" there. Historians believe he was talking about Lepidium oleraceum. Later, on Cook's second voyage, botanists Johann and Georg Forster collected samples of this plant.
How People Use Cook's Scurvy Grass
The young leaves of Lepidium oleraceum can be eaten. You can eat them raw or cook them. They have a slightly hot taste, a bit like cress. Most importantly, these leaves are full of vitamin C. This makes them a healthy food source.
