Vitamin C Content of an Old Antiscorbutic : The Kerguelen Cabbage

Abstract

KERGUELEN Island, in the Antarctic Ocean, equidistant from South Africa and Western Australia, has a very limited flora, of which the Kerguelen cabbage (Pringlea antiscorbutica) is the most striking species. Captain Cook, who visited the Island on his third and last voyage, found "not a single tree or shrub anywhere"and would have given it the name Island of Desolation "but that I would not rob Monsieur de Kerguelen of the honour of it bearing his name". With Cook's interest in combating scurvy, it was certain that he would seek to use this plant as a vegetable. Anderson, Cook's surgeon, describes the plant and its use. "It was not much unlike a small cabbage"having "not only the appearance, but the watery acid taste of the antiscorbutics". It was eaten frequently raw, "but it seemed to acquire a rank taste by being boiled ; which however our people did not perceive and esteemed good". Anderson recommended that it should be introduced into kitchen gardens and improved by cultivation¹.