About Mertensia maritima (L.) Gray
Mertensia maritima is commonly called oyster leaf or oyster plant. It emits a faint mushroom scent, and when eaten, has a vague oyster flavor. When its leaves are crushed, the compound dimethyl sulphide gives the plant an oyster-like odor; this compound is also a major component of the scent profile of raw oysters. This species is native to Britain and Northern Europe, and its populations across the British Isles are currently decreasing. Two additional varieties of this species exist: M. maritima var. tenella, which is found in Canada and Spitzbergen, and M. maritima var. asiatica, which is found in Alaska and Northeastern Asia. Mertensia maritima grows on sand or shingle beaches, where the ground may be siliceous or calcareous, and contains humus from decaying seaweed. It grows primarily in sub-Arctic climates, where it is exposed to very cold temperatures, crashing shore waves, and strong winds. Because it grows in a cold climate, its seeds remain dormant. Skarpaas and Stabbetorp recorded that a cold period of around 2 °C (36 °F) is required to break this seed dormancy.
