Watercress
Nasturtium officinale

Family: Brassicaceae

What it is like

A cabbage family herb. It is a small leafy plant that grows in water and lasts for several years. It grows 30 cm high and has runners 2.5 m long. It has hollow stems and roots freely from the nodes. It branches freely. The leaves consist of 3 to 7 pairs of small leaflets then a larger leaflet at the end. The flowers are small and white and grow grow in a cluster. Flowers are not always produced and need days with more than 12 hours of sunlight to form. A small narrow curved seed pod about 2 cm long can develop. It grows attached to the banks of streams.

It is high in iodine.

Where it is found

This is a temperate climate crop. It is common in tropical highland creeks especially those flowing off limestone hills. (pH 6.5-7.5) It needs to be in running water. In the tropics it occurs from about 1000 m up to at least 2900 m altitude. It grows in streams, ditches, lakes, swamps, marshes from near sea level to 3700 m altitude in China. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 4,100 m above sea level. It grows in wetlands. It suits plant hardiness zones 6-10. Tasmania Herbarium. In Yunnan. In Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Belgium, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia, Botswana, Bougainville, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Canary Is., Cape Verde, Caucasus, Central Africa, Central America, Central Asia, Chad, Chile, China, Comoros Congo DR, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Crete, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, Egypt - Sinai, Ethiopia, Europe (country/location of origin), Falklands, Fiji, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guiana, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niger, Norfolk Island, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Norway, Pacific, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation - Ciscaucasia, Dagestan, Rwanda, Sahel, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Seychelles, Sicily, Sikkim, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sri Lanka, St Helena, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Thailand, Tibet, Timor-Leste, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uruguay, United Kingdom, USA, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves and stems are eaten raw or cooked and have a spicy flavour. They are also fried. Cooking should be used if the water in the stream is not pure and clean. The seed can be germinated to produce sprouts. The seeds can be ground to make a mustard flavouring.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is becoming accepted as an important and popular green in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, herb, spice, vegetable

How it is grown

It is grown from cuttings planted along the edges of clear running water. Cuttings of 10-15 cm long are suitable. The plant has roots along the stem at the node and cuttings quickly form roots in water. A spacing of 30 cm is suitable. This small plant keeps living for many years once established. It can also be grown from seeds. Plants can float on the water. It will not tolerate drying out. Watercress has a high phosphate requirement.

Harvesting can occur 4 to 6 weeks after planting. Regular picking encourages branching and increases production. Tips 5-10 cm long are harvested. This can be repeated every 4-6 weeks.

Its other names

Local names

Acice, Agriaun, Agriao, Awa, Berro, Berro de agua, Berros, Brunnenhresse, Chu-lba-thpu, Chungol, Ciotole, Credou, Creisoun, Creixens, Crescione acquatico, Cresson de fontaine, Dou ban cai, Gerdeme, Gernounej, Gurnounch, Huwaireh, Ip komp, Kalanso, Kambere, Kapisi vai, Kenchi, Kiji, Kizmase, Komba, Kreson, Kuwmba, Kuzala, Kuzele, Lauridde, Lira, Lut-putiah, Mizu garashi, Ok 'oruro, Ota karesi, Pakimbita, Pa nan, Phak nam, Piriya halim, Qije, Sai yeung ts'oi, Salada air, Salada chai, Salade, Sawade, Sayur paret, Selada ayer, Selada sawah, Shimrayo, Shuicai, Silang-sag, Sim rayo, Sim sag, Su teresi, Talib shah, Talmera, Talmira, Tara mira, Tarmera, Taung-kya-gale, Termera, Tharmere, Tujik, Tusmask, Tuzik, Uotakuresu, Waci, Wakari, Xa lach xong, Xi yang cai, Ye qing cai

Synonyms

Arabis nasturtium Clairv.; Baeumerta nasturtium P. Gaertn., B. Mey. & Schreb.; Cardamine aquatica (Garsault) Nieuwl.; Cardamine fontana Lam.; Cardamine nasturtium-aquaticum (L.) Borbas; Nasturtium nasturtium-aquaticum (L.) H. Karst., nom. inval.; Nasturtium officinale R. Br.; Radicula nasturtium Cav., nom. illeg.; Radicula nasturtium-aquaticum (L.) Rendle & Britten; Rorippa nasturtium Beck, nom. illeg.; Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum (L.) Hayek; Rorippa officinale (R. Br.) P. Royen; Sisymbrium nasturtium Thunb., nom. illeg.; Sisymbrium nasturtium-aquaticum L.;