Large bittercress
Cardamine amara
Family: Brassicaceae
What it is like
A cabbage family herb. It keeps growing from year to year with runners. It grows 20-40 cm tall. The stems have a few branches. The leaves are along the stem and are alternate. The lower leaves have long stalks. The flowers are white and 1.5 cm across. They have 4 petals. The fruit are slim flat pods.
There are about 150-180 Cardamine species. They are mostly in damp places in temperate regions. Many varieties are listed.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows in humid places near springs. It grows in swamps and along shorelines.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Balkans, Britain, Bulgaria, Estonia, Europe, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Scandinavia, Slovakia
How it is used for food
The young leaves are used in salads. They are bitter.
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
Plants are usually grown by seed.
Its other names
Local names
Gorchiva gorva, Kressid, Rezucha, Salat, Vizitorma, Zerucha