New Zealand Journal of Botany abstract

Short communication
To what New Zealand plant does the vernacular "scurvy grass" refer?

P. J. DE LANGE

Northern Regional Science Group
Science & Research Division
Department of Conservation
Private Bag 68908
Newton
Auckland, New Zealand

D. A. NORTON

Conservation Research Group
School of Forestry
University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch, New Zealand

Abstract  The term "scurvy grass" is used widely in New Zealand as a vernacular for the formerly widespread brassicaceous herb Lepidium oleraceum. We show that historical usage of this vernacular was not necessarily confined to this species or genus, thereby illustrating the need for caution in using historical accounts to help determine past abundance, ecology, and distribution.

Keywords  Vernacular names; scurvy grass; Lepidium; L. oleraceum

B95054

Received 22 November 1995; accepted 19 April 1996

PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (232K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)

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