Barbarea Sp. - Winter cress
Family: Brassicaceae (Mustard family) [E-flora]
![]() Barbarea intermedia |
![]() Barbarea orthoceras |
Barbarea orthoceras |
![]() Barbarea verna |
![]() Barbarea vulgaris |
![]() Barbarea vulgaris |
"Biennial, perennial herb, erect; hairs simple or 0. Stem: angled. Leaf: basal petioled, rosetted, pinnately lobed, terminal lobe > lateral; cauline dentate or pinnately lobed; middle, distal sessile, base lobed. Inflorescence: terminal; bracts 0. Flower: sepals erect or spreading, base not sac-like; petals yellow, ± clawed. Fruit: silique, linear, dehiscent, unsegmented, cylindric to ± 4-sided or flat parallel to septum; valves strongly 1-veined, glabrous; stigma entire to ± 2-lobed. Seed: 10–40, in 1 row, wingless.
22 species: North America, Eurasia, Australia, northern Africa. (Saint Barbara)" [Jepson]
Local Species;
- Barbarea intermedia - medium-flowered winter-cress [E-flora]
- Barbarea orthoceras - American winter cress [E-flora]
- Barbarea verna - early winter cress [E-flora]
- Barbarea vulgaris - bitter winter cress [E-flora]
References
- [Jepson] Ihsan A. Al-Shehbaz, 2012. Barbarea, in Jepson Flora Project (eds.) Jepson eFlora, http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_IJM.pl?tid=15481, accessed on Mar 13 2014
Image References
- [1] Meneerke bloem, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- [2] USDA NRCS Montana, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- [3] Alpsdake, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- [4] Salicyna, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- [5] Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- [6] Syrio, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Barbarea intermedia - medium-flowered winter-cress
"Introduction European weed has persisted since ca. 1994 along a 1 km stretch of road in Surrey, but has not spread. (Lomer 95-104 @ UBC)" [E-flora]
References
- [E-flora] https://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Barbarea%20intermedia&redblue=Both&lifeform=7, Accessed December 31, 2020
Barbarea orthoceras - American winter cress
"Barbarea orthoceras is a PERENNIAL. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Flies, bees, beetles, self.The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil." [PFAF]
"General: Biennial (occasionally perennial) from a taproot and a simple stem-base; stems stiff, erect, angled, branched, (10) 20-60 cm tall." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Habitat / Range Moist streambanks, meadows and forests in the lowland, steppe and montane zones; common along the coast, less frequent elsewhere in BC; N to AK, YT and NT, E to NF, and S to MN, NH, CO, AZ and CA." [IFBC-E-flora]
Origin Status: Native [E-flora]
- Young Leaves
- "Young leaves eaten in spring, raw or cooked by Alaska peoples.. Raw or cooked [177]. The rosettes of the dark green shiny leaves are eaten raw or cooked[257]. A hot, cress-like flavour." [PFAF]
Cultivation & Propagation
"We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in sun or shade in a moist well-drained soil[200]." [PFAF]
"Seed - sow in situ in early spring to early summer." [PFAF]
Synonyms
- Barbarea americana Rydb. [E-flora]
- Barbarea orthoceras var. dolichocarpa Fernald . [E-flora]
References
- [E-flora] http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Barbarea%20orthoceras&redblue=Both&lifeform=7, Accessed June 20, 2015
- [PFAF] http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Barbarea+orthoceras, Accessed June 13, 2015
Barbarea verna - early winter cress
"Barbarea verna is a BIENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in). It is hardy to zone (UK) 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to July, and the seeds ripen from Jun to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Flies, bees, beetles, self.The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil." [PFAF]
"General: Biennial (rarely perennial) from a taproot and a simple stem-base; stems (20) 30-80 cm tall, stiff, erect, angled and branched." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Habitat / Range Mesic to dry fields and waste places in the lowland, steppe and montane zones; rare in S BC; introduced from Eurasia." [IFBC-E-flora]
Origin Status: Exotic [E-flora]
Edible Uses
- Young Leaves
- This highly nutritious vegetable is good only in the cold weather, from late fall to early spring, when it tastes like a pungent cabbage. At other times, it's horribly bitter. Many people, especially children, dislike it even when it's at its best. [Wildman]
- Harvesting: By the time they appear, in early spring, the plant is too bitter to eat, although the small flower buds, which taste and look like broccoli, are edible, if labor-intensive to collect. The seedpods are too tough to eat.There are no poisonous lookalikes. [Wildman]
- "Young leaves - raw, cooked or used as a seasoning[1, 2, 33, 37, 52]. A hot, spicy watercress flavour, they are delicious in salads[183, 244]. Leaves can be obtained throughout the year if autumn-sown plants are given a light protection in winter[1]." [PFAF]
- Seeds
Cultivation & Propagation
"Succeeds in sun or shade in a moist well-drained soil,[200] growing well on a north facing wall[33, 52]. The summer crop is best if it is given some shade whilst the winter crop succeeds in sunny positions[1, 200]. Land cress is often cultivated as a salad plant, when it is usually treated as an annual[46]. It can supply leaves all year round from successional sowings[1]. In hot weather plants soon run to seed unless they are kept shaded and moist[183]. The leaves taste much hotter in the summer[K]. Plants usually self-sow freely when growing in a suitable position[K]." [PFAF]
"Seed - sow spring to September in situ at 3-weekly intervals to provide a succession of leaves. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks." [PFAF]
Synonyms
- Barbarea praecox (Smith) R. Br. [E-flora]
- Campe verna (P. Mill.) Heller [E-flora]
- Erysimum vernum P. Mill. [E-flora]
References
- [E-flora] http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Barbarea%20verna&redblue=Both&lifeform=7, Accessed June 20, 2015
- [PFAF] http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Barbarea+verna, Accessed June 13, 2015
Barbarea vulgaris - bitter winter cress
"Barbarea vulgaris is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in). It is hardy to zone (UK) 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to August, and the seeds ripen from Jul to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Flies, bees, beetles, self.The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil." [PFAF]
"General: Biennial from a taproot and a simple stem-base; stems 20-80 cm tall, coarse, erect, angled and branched.." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Habitat / Range Moist to wet roadsides, fields and disturbed areas in the steppe and montane zones; frequent in S BC, rare northward; introduced from Eurasia." [IFBC-E-flora]
Origin Status: Exotic [E-flora]
Hazards
"There is a report that ingestion of the leaves can lead to kidney malfunction[222]." [PFAF]
Edible Uses
- Young Leaves
- "Raw or cooked like spinach[2, 9, 27, 46, 52, 95]. A hot cress-like flavour[183]. Young leaves are chopped up finely and added to salads, older leaves can be used as a potherb but they are rather strong and are best cooked in one or two changes of water[183]." [PFAF]
- "Harvesting: The leaves are available all year round, even in the winter, especially if the weather is mild[95, 115]. To increase the productivity of the plants, remove the flowering stems as they appear (they can be eaten like the leaves[K]) and pick the outer leaves as the plant regrows[244]." [PFAF]
Medicinal Uses
- Young Flowering Stems
- "Harvested before the flowers open and cooked like broccoli[183]." [PFAF]
- Leaves
- "The leaves are vulnerary and have been used as a poultice for treating wounds[207, 240]. A tea made from the leaves is appetizer, antiscorbutic and diuretic[222]." [PFAF]
Cultivation & Propagation
Soil Reclamation: "Barbarea vulgari demonstrated the capability to accumulate and translocate pesticides from roots to above ground tissues. Concentration of pesticide in above ground tissue exceeded concentration in root tissue, giving a translocation factor of greater than one." [OPPPS]
"Succeeds in sun or shade in a moist well-drained soil[1, 111]. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.8 to 7.5. The plant can continue to grow all winter, especially if the weather is mild[183]. A short-lived perennial[1], though plants usually self-sow freely when in a suitable position[K]. There is at least one named form, developed for its ornamental value. 'Variegata' has variegated leaves and grows less strongly than the type[183]. A good bee plant[108]." [PFAF]
"Seed - sow spring or autumn in situ. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks. Division in spring. his plant is a short-lived perennial, and also usually self-sows freely, so we have not found division to be worthwhile." [PFAF]
Synonyms
- Barbarea arcuata (Opiz ex J. Presl & C. Presl) Rchb. [E-flora]
- Barbarea stricta auct. non Andrz. [E-flora]
- Barbarea vulgaris var. arcuata (Opiz ex J. Presl & C. Presl) Fr. [E-flora]
- Barbarea vulgaris var. brachycarpa Rouy & Foucaud [E-flora]
- Barbarea vulgaris var. longisiliquosa Carion [E-flora]
- Barbarea vulgaris var. sylvestris Fr. [E-flora]
- Campe barbarea (L.) W. Wight ex Piper [E-flora]
- Campe stricta auct. non (Andrz.) W. Wight ex Piper [E-flora]
References
- [E-flora] https://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Barbarea%20vulgaris&redblue=Both&lifeform=7, Accessed December 31, 2020
- [OPPPS] Obsolete Pesticides and Phytoremediation of Polluted Soil in Kazakhstan, Asil Nurzhanova, Kabyl Zhambakin..... July 30, 2011
- [PFAF] http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Barbarea+vulgaris, Accessed June 13, 2015