Crowfoot, Greater swinecress
Coronopus squamatus

Family: Brassicaceae or Cruciferae

What it is like

Coronopus squamatus (Forssk.) Asch. is now recorded as synonym of Lepidium coronopus (L.) Al-Shehbaz

Coronopus squamatus is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.3

Where it is found

Sands, mainly maritime, gravels and fields. Plants are found especially on trampled ground such as by gateways.

Throughout Europe, including Britain, to the Mediterranean.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Africa, Europe, North America.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Leaves - raw or cooked. Nauseously acrid and foetid, requiring much boiling to render them edible. Root - cooked.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 0

How it is grown

See the plants native habitat for ideas on its cultivation needs.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring or autumn in situ.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Annual/Biennial

Hardiness: 0-0

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

This plant can be weedy or invasive. A noxious weed in Arizona and California, USA.

Its other names

Local names

Crowfoot, Greater swinecress, creeping wartcress, swinecress, coronopus. Denmark: Almindelig ravnefod. Estonia: lamav teekress. Latvia: Gulscioji varnakoje. Lithuania: zvinaina varnaspeda. Norway: Krkekarse Poland: Wron¢g grzebieniasty. Sweden: Krkkrassing.

Synonyms

C. procumbens. C. ruellii. Cochlearia coronopus. Senebiera coronopus.