Cochlearia

Cochlearia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae, native to Europe and Asia. The genus includes about 15 species, which are known for their distinctive, spiral-shaped leaves and small, yellow flowers. Cochlearia plants are typically biennial or perennial, with a rosette of leaves in the first year, followed by a flowering stem in the second year. The leaves are often used in herbal medicine for their supposed diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties. The genus is named after the Greek word "kochlearios," meaning "shell-shaped," referring to the shape of the leaves. Cochlearia species are often cultivated as ornamental plants due to their attractive foliage and are sometimes used in landscaping. Some species, such as Cochlearia danica, are also grown for their edible seeds, which are used in cooking. The genus is not closely related to the cochlea, the spiral-shaped structure in the inner ear.