Swine Wartcress, Lesser swinecress
Coronopus didymus

Family: Brassicaceae or Cruciferae

What it is like

Coronopus didymus (L.) Sm. is now a synonym of Lepidium didymum L.

Coronopus didymus is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in). It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). 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

Waste places, roadsides and cultivated fields. Found chiefly in sandy soils in Texas.

Europe. Asia. N. America. Naturalized in Britain.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Antilles, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azores, Bahamas, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Britain, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Chile, China, Congo, Czech Republic, East Africa, Easter Island, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guiana, Hawaii, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indochina, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Madagascar, Mediterranean, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, North Africa, North America, NW India, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Romania, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Slovakia, South Africa, South America, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Tonga, Uruguay, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Leaves - raw or cooked. A strong hot cress-like flavour.

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.

Its other names

Local names

Twin cress, Bitter cress, Calachin, Cervellina, Gangly, Hallian, Lesser wart-cress, lesser swine-cress, Mastuerzo, Mestruz, Quimpe. Austria: Zweiknoten-Krhenfuá. Denmark: Liden ravnefod. Germany: Zweiknotiger Krhenfuá. Lithuania: izskatiga varnaspeda. Norway: Ramkarse. Sweden: Hamnkrassing.

Synonyms

Lepidium didymum. Senebiera didyma.