Where To Find Watercress In The Wild

It is acknowledged as one of the oldest of the wild edible green species consumed by humans and although once native to europe and asia has now naturalized to many parts of the world conducive to its growth.

Where to find watercress in the wild.

White flowers appear above the water from march through october. Another very similar wild relative is hairy bittercress. Watercress is in the brassicaceae formerly cruciferae family which makes it a mustard like its relatives kale cabbage collard greens arugula broccoli and of course mustard. Watercress is an extremely healthy plant when consumed however it can also be deadly if you select the wrong plant.

Watercress blooms through much of the growing season from spring through fall so you can often use the flowers to help identify the plant. Watercress is one of the building block plants of easy foraging. Watercress grows in shallow running water so it is easy to find. Watercress forms a carpet of small round leaves.

I was driving through one of our canyons and came across some wild watercress so i made this video to show everyone how to id it. Watercress is an aquatic or semi aquatic perennial herb with bright white flowers that resemble the shape of a cross. Hence an old name cruciferae for the mustard family to which watercress belongs watercress is commonly found in cold alkaline waters of springs spring runs and similar streams throughout the state of missouri as well as. Like most mustards watercress has a spicy peppery flavor.

Watercress is a glossy looking mostly hairless medium sized aquatic or sub aquatic. All parts of the plant are edible. This video will teach you how to recognize the good and bad kinds of watercress in the wild and use them as an effective wilderness food source. One always in demand item is watercress which thrives in northern alabama s many natural springs growing almost year round in some because of their consistently favorable temperatures.

Watercress nasturtium officinale by dave moore. Watercress is an aquatic leafy green vegetable that grows wild in shallow waterways ponds streams and natural springs. Its flowers are small and white and occur in long clusters like other mustards.