FLORA OF ICELAND elements: Mertensia maritima, Oyster Plant, Blálilja

Mertensia maritima; The oyster plant is a plant of beaches and coastal areas. Identification is easy because of its bluish rather succulent leaves. There are no similar plants, certainly not in coastal strips. The expert quickly recognizes the flowers as those of a borage family member (Boraginaceae). Members of the borage family often have seeds containing interesting fatty acids (vegetable oils). I am not aware Mertensia is interesting in that respect. It seems however, it is an edible plant with leaves containing vitamine C.
Like Forget-me-nots the Oyster Plant is a member of the Borage family (Boraginaceae). The Icelandic name of this species is Blálilja.

A brief introduction to Iceland plants
Text & Photographs by Dick Vuijk
- unless stated otherwise
Remaining miscellaneous dicotyledons

Remaining miscellaneous dicotyledons

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  OTHER PHOTO'S:  

well developed single oyster plant

focus on flowers

reload original photo of a "mat" of the Oyster plant

 

 

 

 

Natural History of Iceland Site  in Dutch

Natural History of Iceland Site  Dutch