Other Names: Brooklime, Brown Cress, Cress, Cresson, Nasturtium, Water Cresses, True Watercress, WatercressHabitat
Watercress is a perennial herb, wide spread, there is some question as to whether or not True Watercress is native. Found growing in open running watercourses or near cool shallow springs, spring holes, spring fed stream margins, and brooks.
Cultivation
Watercress is fairly easy to cultivate, it prefers to grow in cool, flowing, water about 2 to 3 inches deep, in a partially shaded area. Sow seed spring in a pot emerged to half its depth in water. Cuttings can be taken at any time in the growing season. Virtually any part of the plant, put it in a container of water until the roots are well formed and then plant out in shallow water. A fast-growing plant, the flowers are a rich source of pollen and so are very attractive to bees.
DescriptionWatercress differs from all other mustards by its alternate, pinnately compound leaves with 3-11 oblong to oval leaflets, shiny, dark green, rounded at the tip, smooth, without teeth or with wavy-toothed margins. Creeping or floating stems, succulent or fleshy, smooth, with fibrous roots, rooting occurs anywhere along the submerged stem mostly at the nodes. Flowers are white with 4 petals about 1/6-1/4 inch across, in terminal racemes and in racemes from the axils of the uppermost leaves. Flowers bloom from April thru June. Gather edible fresh green leaves anytime. Avoid plants growing in water that drains from fields where animals, particularly sheep, graze. Due to the risk of it being infested with the deadly liver fluke parasite. If unsure, cooking the leaves, will destroy any parasites and render the plant perfectly safe to eat.
Other Names: Brooklime, Brown Cress, Cress, Cresson, Nasturtium, Water Cresses, True Watercress, Watercress
Habitat
Watercress is a perennial herb, wide spread, there is some question as to whether or not True Watercress is native. Found growing in open running watercourses or near cool shallow springs, spring holes, spring fed stream margins, and brooks.
Cultivation
Watercress is fairly easy to cultivate, it prefers to grow in cool, flowing, water about 2 to 3 inches deep, in a partially shaded area. Sow seed spring in a pot emerged to half its depth in water. Cuttings can be taken at any time in the growing season. Virtually any part of the plant, put it in a container of water until the roots are well formed and then plant out in shallow water. A fast-growing plant, the flowers are a rich source of pollen and so are very attractive to bees.
Description
Watercress differs from all other mustards by its alternate, pinnately compound leaves with 3-11 oblong to oval leaflets, shiny, dark green, rounded at the tip, smooth, without teeth or with wavy-toothed margins. Creeping or floating stems, succulent or fleshy, smooth, with fibrous roots, rooting occurs anywhere along the submerged stem mostly at the nodes. Flowers are white with 4 petals about 1/6-1/4 inch across, in terminal racemes and in racemes from the axils of the uppermost leaves. Flowers bloom from April thru June. Gather edible fresh green leaves anytime. Avoid plants growing in water that drains from fields where animals, particularly sheep, graze. Due to the risk of it being infested with the deadly liver fluke parasite. If unsure, cooking the leaves, will destroy any parasites and render the plant perfectly safe to eat.
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