Forming into attractive dense mats or hedges, wild watercress produces dark green scalloped rounded and/or oblong leaves with tiny white flower blossom clusters that eventually develop into small seed pods. flavor. Watercress is a glossy-looking, mostly hairless, medium-sized, aquatic or sub-aquatic plant. to a reduced risk of cancer via decreased damage to DNA and possible green color. flowering phase (mid-late spring), when the leaves are a robust Perennial. (*), In 2015 published research in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology studying the effects on brain or spine tumor growth (glioma), it was concluded that "PEITC, served as a potential antitumor agent that can induce apoptosis through oxidative stress.". Watercress, (Nasturtium officinale), perennial aquatic plant of the mustard family (Brassicaceae), native to Eurasia and naturalized throughout North America. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/plant/watercress. The nutrient-packed veggie has been tasked with treating everything from bad breath to blood disorders (when Hippocrates founded the world’s first hospital in 400 B.C.E., he grew watercress … Wild watercress should be thoroughly cleaned and harvested from a pollution-free location as it is known to harbor parasites and absorb environmental contaminants from toxic water sources. Numerous rooting hairs are found just below the waterline. Omissions? of composted organic matter down to a depth of 6-8 inches (15-20 cm. The small heart shaped fleshy leaves have a peppery mustard flavour. You can learn … The watercress plant, like other members of the mustard family, have a complex system of defense against predators known as the glucosinolate-myrosinase system. Grow watercress from cuttings by placing a bunch or several stems in a glass of water. Cress sprouts, or "pepper grass", are usually not propagated from the Nasturtium officianale species but from others like Lepidium sativum and Barbarea verna. published in the American Journal of Nutrition in 2007 states that, "The Either type can be collected for consumption and taste pretty much the same. good idea to wash it thoroughly to remove any potential contaminants or debris. Different sections of a wild watercress patch can mature faster with some leafy stems emerging above other smaller growth. Watercress is a nutritionally potent plant rich in antioxidants and various phytonutrients including carotenoids, chlorophyll and phenolic compounds. Watercress is an aquatic leafy green vegetable that grows wild in shallow waterways, ponds, streams and natural springs. The plant bears compact clusters of tiny four-petaled white flowers; each seedpod, known as a silique, bears two rows of seeds. Please consult the advice of a medical health professional before undertaking or experimenting with any new. Harvesting: Harvest leaves … Sow the seeds 1/4 inch (6.3 mm) deep and roughly 1/2 inch (12.6 mm) apart, and cover with a thin layer of fine gardening soil. By using this website, you agree and approve that all information is for educational purposes only and is the personal view and opinion of the author(s) and website owner; not in any way intended as medical advice, personal instruction, diagnosis or prescription. Specific scientific research on the plant's compound PEITC, phenylethyl Historically speaking, watercress is the United Kingdom's famous wild salad green and long utilized herbal folk medicinal. It has a peppery flavor that's sharp but not bitter. isothiocyanate, is found to exhibit the potential to suppress certain In a 2014 published study in Cancer Prevention Research, evidence supported sulforaphane as a chemopreventive constituent and "an inducer of glutathione S-transferases (GST) and other cytoprotective enzymes.". If you happen to come across a significantly large Watercress varieties abound, but the most common home grown variety is Nasturtium officinale. It is a good idea to use a plant identification guide if you are new to Height 30cm. such as age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. There are many toxic wild plants and it is While PEITC is produced from the watercress glucosinolate: gluconasturtiin, sulforaphane is yet another glucosinolate produced, but from glucoraphanin constituent. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The carotenoids present in plants chlorophyll-rich leaves can additionally offer Visit our other pages on harvesting wild foods in the links below. Nasturtium officianale is known to be particularly high in vitamin K in addition to other vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A and folate as well as calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and manganese. Watercress (Nasturtium officianale) comes from the genus Nasturtium. There are seven different plant species from the genus Nasturtium; the most well-known edible varieties are Nasturtium microphyllum and Nasturtium officinale (also labeled Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum). Corrections? watercress is to cut it off at the stem with scissors. The alternate leaves are pinnately compound with three to nine leaflets. types of cancerous tumor growth. diet regimen or health program. Though only distantly related, the leaves of the cultivated garden variety also have a similar taste. By using this website (www.superfoodevolution.com) you agree to the Privacy Policy, Disclaimer and Affiliate Disclosure. Remember that stems and flowers, in addition to the leaves, are Excessive intake can cause burning urine and/or loose stools due to its potent bioactive components. DISCLAIMER: By using this website, you agree and approve that all information is for educational purposes only and is the personal view and opinion of the author(s) and website owner; not in any way intended as medical advice, personal instruction, diagnosis or prescription. Content or images may not be copied or reproduced. This is the spicy pungent property of the plant that also produces the health enhancing constituents known as sulforaphane and PEITC when the leaves are chewed by humans. Watercress can be used in small amounts when preparing green juices or green smoothies. You can also start the watercress indoors using the method above or transplant mature plants. The plant can be found in shallow slow moving water where it usually grows between 4-12 inches in height, but in some situations can grow much taller. Content or images may not be copied or reproduced. Watercress has been demonstrated in past and present studies to have anticancer properties via its high levels of isothiocyanates, metabolites of glucosinolates present in a wide variety of cruciferous vegetables. As a nutrient-rich wild food source, it has been utilized for its nutritious leafy stems as both a raw vegetable and steamed green. Valued in the 19th century as a staple food source, referred to as "poor man's bread", it was eaten raw as a rolled green vegetable as well as consumed in sandwiches. Please consult the advice of a medical health professional before undertaking or experimenting with any new diet regimen or health program. As an expectorant and diuretic, the leaves were traditionally used as an herbal remedy for the treatment of scurvy, arthritis, gout and coughs. Today, cress sprouts, rather than the leafier versions, are more frequently consumed as a favorite condiment in Britain and frequently available in most local markets. an herbal remedy for the treatment of scurvy, arthritis, gout and Watercress is perennial plant with hollow stems and small heart-shaped leaves. The stems of watercress are hollow which allow the plant to float above the water's surface. In some American states watercress is listed as a noxious and invasive weed species as it tends to take over waterways when the growing conditions are optimal. Leaves and stems are also claimed to contain ample amounts of dietary iodine compared to other leafy green vegetables. Harvest watercress when seedlings are at least three to four weeks old. As the name suggests, watercress is a water-loving plant, and it typically is found growing near creeks and ponds. ponds or streams where a slightly alkaline pH is maintained. The leaves grow alternately with about 7 or more leaves growing on a short stem branching off a main center stalk. results support the theory that consumption of watercress can be linked PEITC has been reported as a potential anticancer agent in earlier research and was identified to inhibit cell growth and induction of apoptosis in many cancer cell lines such as prostate, colon, brain and breast cancers. It can also be used in wraps, sandwiches and sushi rolls or steamed with other vegetables or likewise prepared as a watercress soup. Fresh watercress is used as a salad green and sandwich filling. Watercress is widely cultivated all over Britain and particularly in the small town of New Alresford in Winchester, England where "The Watercress Festival" is held every year on the third Sunday of May. The leaves are rounded like cultivated watercress when young and then can quickly develop a more pointed oblong shape. It, of course, makes a delicious salad green that imparts a peppery flavor much like that of arugula. It is a common leafy vegetable found next to other greens in many produce stores around the world.