Cardamine amara

Large bittercress

Brassicaceae Edible: Leaves 8,938 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Cardamine amara, known as large bitter-cress, is a species of flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae. It is a perennial with upright, mostly unbranched, stems to 70 cm (28 in) tall, and leaves made up of between three and 13 leaflets. The flowers have petals that are 8–14 mm (0.3–0.6 in) long and are generally white, although sometimes pink or purple. It is found in damp places.

Description

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.

Edible Uses

The leaves are eaten raw and have a hot, cress-like flavour with a somewhat bitter edge. They are pleasant in small quantities in a salad and are available year-round in most years.

Traditional Uses

The young leaves are used in salads. They are bitter.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The plant is antiscorbutic, diuretic, and stimulant.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows in humid places near springs. It grows in swamps and along shorelines.

Where It Grows

Asia, Balkans, Britain, Bulgaria, Estonia, Europe, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Scandinavia, Slovakia,

Cultivation

Easily grown in most moist soils. Prefers a moist humus rich soil in shade or semi-shade. Plants are hardy to at least -20°c. An invasive plant spreading freely by self-sowing, it is best suited to the wild garden. A polymorphic species.