Winter cress, Austral Winter-cress, Riverbed wintercress
Barbarea australis
Family: Brassicaceae
What it is like
A cabbage family herb. It grows 30-50 cm high and spreads 10-30 cm wide. The leaves near the base are divided into leaflets along the stalk and are 10 cm long. The leaves higher up and simple and with wavy edges. They clasp the stem. The flowers are small and yellow. The fruit are 3 cm long and slender. They are on stalks 1 cm long.
There are 12 Barbarea species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows along the moist edges of streams in the southern Central highlands in Tasmania. It needs some moisture and sun. Tasmania Herbarium. Hobart Botanical Gardens.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin), Tasmania (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The leaves have a peppery taste and can be added to salads.
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
It grows easily from seed. Cuttings also strike easily.