Land Cress.

De un vistazo

Nivel de cuidados

Fácil

Tipo de planta

Biennial herb

Luz

Full sun to partial shade

Luz en interior

Sol directo

Riego

Cada 2 a 4 días

Tamaño adulto

1 to 2 feet

Ritmo de crecimiento

Rápido

Rusticidad

USDA 5 a 9

Floración

Mid to late spring

Cuidados

Keep the soil consistently moist to prevent the leaves from becoming too spicy or tough. Watch for flea beetles which love to snack on the foliage. Harvest the outer leaves regularly to encourage new growth from the center.

Riego

Keep the soil damp but not waterlogged to ensure the best leaf flavor.

Abonado

Apply a balanced organic fertilizer once a month during the active growing season.

Poda

Regularly harvest outer leaves to keep the plant productive and prevent premature bolting.

Trasplante

Since it is typically grown as an annual or biennial, you will likely start fresh from seed each year.

Suelo

Moist, fertile, well-draining soil

pH del suelo

6.0 to 7.0

Temperatura

-15 a 30°C

Humedad

40 a 70%

Seguridad

Personas

The plant is generally considered safe to eat in moderation, though it contains glucosinolates that may cause stomach upset if consumed in large quantities.

Niños

There are no specific safety concerns for children, though standard supervision is advised to prevent ingestion of wild plants.

Alérgenos por contacto

Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from the raw sap.

Alérgenos en el aire

The pollen can trigger mild symptoms in sensitive individuals during the peak flowering period.

Comestibilidad

While the leaves are edible, they can become quite bitter and tough once the plant begins to flower.

Cómo identificarla

• Dark green pinnately lobed leaves
• Forms low growing basal rosettes
• Small yellow four petaled flowers
• Peppery scent when leaves crushed

Altura

0,3 a 0,6m

Anchura

0,2 a 0,4m

Hojas

dark green, semi-evergreen

Flores

yellow, 0,5 a 1cm

Frutos

brown, Summer

Problemas frecuentes

• Flea beetles — Small jumping beetles that create tiny shot holes in the foliage.
• Downy mildew — Yellowing patches on leaves caused by high humidity and poor air circulation.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagación

seed

Cuándo plantar

spring, early autumn

Plant this in a dedicated cool season patch to avoid competition with summer vegetables that require different soil moisture levels.

Buenas compañeras

• Radish — They share similar growing requirements and timing.
• Lettuce — They make excellent partners in a cool season salad garden.
• Spinach — Both crops thrive in the cooler temperatures of spring and autumn.

Especies parecidas

• Barbarea vulgaris — It is a very close relative with similar growth habits and culinary uses.

Ciencia

Familia

Brassicaceae

Género

Barbarea

Orden

Brassicales

Clase

Magnoliopsida

Distribución natural

Southern Europe and Western Asia.

Conservación

This species is considered naturalized in many areas and is not of conservation concern.

It thrives in damp, disturbed soils and colonizes open spaces quickly through prolific seed production.

Valor para la fauna

early season nectar source, larval host plant

Polinizadores

abejas, mariposas, escarabajos

Usos

culinary greens, early spring salad addition, pollinator garden filler

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

Is this plant invasive?

It can be aggressive in disturbed soils and may self seed freely in the garden.

Can I eat the flowers?

Yes, the flowers are edible and have a mild mustard flavor.

De dónde viene el nombre

The genus name Barbarea honors Saint Barbara, as the plant was traditionally harvested around her feast day in December. The species name verna means of the spring.

Bueno saberlo

• It is a member of the mustard family.
• The leaves have a spicy, peppery flavor similar to watercress.
• It is a biennial that often acts as an annual in cultivation.
• It was historically used as a scurvy preventative by sailors.