Oyster leaf facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oyster leaf |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Mertensia (plant)
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| Species: |
maritima
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Mertensia maritima, also called the oyster leaf or oyster plant, is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the borage family. People in North America call it oyster leaf. In Britain and Ireland, it's known as oyster plant or sea bluebells.
This plant grows in the Northern hemisphere, especially on gravelly ground. You can find it in northern parts of Canada, Greenland, and Svalbard.
It is a plant that lives for many years. Its stem can grow up to 50 centimeters (about 20 inches) long. The flowers grow in a cluster. They start out reddish and then turn a bright blue color.
Contents
What is the Oyster Leaf Plant?
The Mertensia maritima plant is often called oyster leaf or oyster plant. This is because it has a light smell of mushrooms. When you taste it, it reminds people a little bit of oysters.
Where Does the Oyster Leaf Grow?
This plant naturally grows in Britain and Northern Europe. However, there are fewer of these plants now in Scotland, Northern England, and Ireland.
The oyster leaf plant likes to grow on sandy or shingle beaches. The ground can be made of different types of rock or even decaying seaweed.
Climate and Habitat
The oyster leaf plant mostly grows in a sub-Arctic climate. This means it lives in very cold places. It can handle strong winds and waves crashing on the shore.
Because it lives in such cold areas, the plant's seeds stay dormant. This means they don't sprout right away. Scientists have found that the seeds need a cold period (around 2° C or 35.6° F) to start growing.
Different Types of Oyster Leaf
There are a few different types, or variations, of Mertensia maritima:
- M. maritima var. tenella: This type is found in Canada and Spitzbergen.
- M. maritima var. asiatica: This type grows in Alaska and Northeastern Asia.
See also
In Spanish: Mertensia maritima para niños
