Rorippa gigantea
(J.D.Hook.) Garnock-Jones
Water cress, Long-style bittercress
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Summary
Source: WikipediaRorippa gigantea is a species of plant in the cabbage family Brassicaceae. The forest bitter-cress is usually seen as an annual plant, growing to 120 cm high, found in Australian east coast forests.
Description
A cabbage family herb. It is a cress like plant. It is a herb that grows for one or more years. It has a stout taproot. It grows 30 cm high and spreads 200 cm wide. The stems are slightly woody. They are angled and become purple-red when mature. The leaves can be green to purple. The edges can be entire or have teeth. The flower stalks at the top have several white flowers. The petals are 2-3 mm long. The fruit are dark green specialised seed pods. The seeds are orange to red-brown. The pods are sticky when fresh.
Edible Uses
The leaves and seeds are edible.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant. It grows in coastal regions. It can be on cliff tops and tolerate salt spray. Tasmania Herbarium.
Where It Grows
Australia, New Zealand*, Tasmania,
Notes
There are about 70 Rorippa species.
Synonyms
References (4)
- Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 196
- Flora of Australia, Volume 8, Lecythidales to Batales, Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra (1982) p 324
- Lavelle, M., 2008, Wild Flowers of Australia and Oceania. Southwater. p 65
- Tasmanian Herbarium Vascular Plants list p 18
