Mertensia maritima [Oyster Plant]

[nfoto]

Rørslett, B. 2013. Mertensia maritima (L.)Gray (Boraginaceae). Oyster Plant. Flowers photographed in visible and ultraviolet light. http://www.ultraviol...ma-oyster-plant

 

Mertensia maritima (L.)Gray

Syn. Stenhammeria maritima (L.)Rchb.

 

NO: Østersurt

SE: Ostronört

DK: Hestetunge

IS: Blálilja

EN: Oyster Plant

 

This is a prostrate perennial species confined to shores of the North Atlantic and thus has a markedly northern distribution. The herbage has been used as greenery and made into salads or soups. The taste is mild and oyster-like, hence the vernacular name. Leaves are glaucous with pitted glands to exude sea salts. The flowers are borne is terminal cymes and are fairly small. Like so many species in the Borage Family, the corollas change from red to blue during their development.

 

Plants collected and photographed near Vadsø, Arctic Norway 22 July 2013.

 

Image reference: MERT_MAR_B1307227412_VIS.jpg

Visible light: Nikon D800, Voigtländer 125 mm f/2.5 APO-Lanthar lens, daylight

 

Image reference: MERT_MAR_I13072270838_UV.jpg

Ultraviolet light: Panasonic GH-2, Coastal Optics 60 mm f/4 APO lens, Baader U2" (Venus) filter, SB-140 flash

 

The corolla of M. maritima is moderately reflecting in UV, with a occurrence of darker patches on either surface. Anthers and style are UV-dark. The foliage is surprisingly bright in UV, perhaps the exuded sea salt minerals on the leaves make a positive contribution to this behaviour.

 

[Published 13 Dec 2013]