Land Cress, Early yellowrocket
Barbarea verna

Family: Brassicaceae or Cruciferae

What it is like

Barbarea verna is a BIENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to July, and the seeds ripen from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies, bees, beetles. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.3

Where it is found

Waste and cultivated ground.

S.W. Europe. Naturalized in Britain.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Young leaves - raw, cooked or used as a seasoning. A hot, spicy watercress flavour, they are delicious in salads. Leaves can be obtained throughout the year if autumn-sown plants are given a light protection in winter. An edible oil is obtained from the seed. The seed can be sprouted and added to salads etc.

Oil: Oil

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

Succeeds in sun or shade in a moist well-drained soil, growing well on a north facing wall. The summer crop is best if it is given some shade whilst the winter crop succeeds in sunny positions. Land cress is often cultivated as a salad plant, when it is usually treated as an annual. It can supply leaves all year round from successional sowings. In hot weather plants soon run to seed unless they are kept shaded and moist. The leaves taste much hotter in the summer. Plants usually self-sow freely when growing in a suitable position.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring to September in situ at 3-weekly intervals to provide a succession of leaves. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; North Wall. By.

Habit: Biennial

Hardiness: 5-9

Growth:

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

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

B. praecox. (Sm.)R.Br. Campe verna.