Pennycress
Thlaspi perfoliatum

Family: Brassicaceae

What it is like

A cabbage family herb. It is an annual plant up to 30 cm tall. The leaves near the base are in a loose ring.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows on slopes, roadsides, waste grounds, forest margins between 400–2400 m altitude in China.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Central Asia, China, Europe, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Middle East, North America, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, North Africa, Sicily, Slovenia, SW Asia, Turkey, Türkiye, USA

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten as a salad. They are often boiled then fried. The seeds are used as a condiment.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds - spice

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Cayir akca cicegi, Prerasli mošnjak, Quan ye xi ming, Talaspiu, Thoroughwort pennycress

Synonyms

Microthlaspi perfoliatum (Linnaeus) F. K. Meyer; and others