Garden cress
Lepidium sativum

Family: Brassicaceae

What it is like

A cabbage family herb. It is an annual plant about 60 cm high. It has narrowly lobed leaves. The leaves near the base have long stalks and the leaves higher on the plant do not have stalks. The flowers are small and white. The fruit is a pod. These are oval and deeply notched. The seed pods are reddish brown. The plant develops tuberous roots and grow for a second season. There are some named cultivated varieties.

There are about 150 Lepidium species. It is rich in iodine, and Vitamins A, D, C, and E.

Where it is found

A temperate plant. In Nepal it grows between 200-3000 m altitude. In tropical Africa it grows between 750-2,900 m and is best at cooler locations. It suits plant hardiness zones 4-10. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Arabia, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bangladesh, Britain, Burkina Faso, Caucasus, Central Asia, Chile, China, East Africa, Easter Island, Egypt, Ethiopia, Europe, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kashmir, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Norway, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Russia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Serbia, Sikkim, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sudan, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Tibet, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, West Africa, N Africa, SW Asia

How it is used for food

The leaves are used in salads. They are cut when young. The tender leaves are cooked as a vegetable. They are used in curries. The fresh or dried seed pods can be used as a pungent seasoning. The seeds also yield an edible oil. The seeds can be sprouted and eaten. The roots are occasionally used as a flavouring or spice.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is a minor vegetable, widely used.

Edible parts

Leaves, herb, spice, vegetable, seeds - oil

How it is grown

Seeds are sown at regular intervals of about 2 weeks throughout the year. They need to be sown shallowly in a fine soil. Plants can start to be harvested in a few weeks.

It is fast growing

Its other names

Local names

Adalavitulu, Addi, Adeli, Adityalu, Ahliva, Aleveri, Aliverai, Allibija, Asalio, Chamsur, Chanchur, Chandrashura, Dejnik, Gejnik, Halang, Halim, Halon, Hidamba saga, Hurf, Jamboi, Kurutige, Mat-karse, Pepper-grass, Rashad, Rosaltik, Salachson ray, Samon-ni, Shargundei, Tere, Tezak, Ts'its'mat'i, Vrtna kreša

Synonyms

Arabis chinensis Rottler ex Wight; Crucifera nasturtium E. H. L. Krause; Lepidium hortense Forskk; and others