A genus of bivalve mollusks commonly known as cockles, with heart-shaped shells found in marine and brackish waters.
From Latin cardium, derived from Greek kardion meaning 'heart,' referring to the distinctive heart-shaped appearance of the shell.
Cockles have been eaten by humans for thousands of years and are so nutritious that they were a major food source for the poor in medieval Europe—the name literally comes from their heart shape, which ancient people noticed matched the organ symbolizing love and life.
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