Great yellow cress (Rorippa amphibia, Enum. Pl. Volh.: 27 (1821))

Family: Brassicaceae

Author: (L.) Besser

Bibliography: Enum. Pl. Volh.: 27 (1821)

Year: 1821

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Rorippa

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Siberia and NW. Iran, Algeria

Description

Great yellow cress, scientifically known as Rorippa amphibia, is a plant species belonging to the Brassicaceae family. Described in the “Enumeratio Plantarum Volhynia” in 1821 by Besser, this versatile and resilient plant thrives predominantly in Europe, extending its range to Siberia, Northwestern Iran, and Algeria.

Characterized by its robust growth and vibrant yellow flowers, Great yellow cress typically flourishes in wetland habitats, such as riverbanks, marshes, and damp meadows. It exhibits a preference for moist, nutrient-rich soils where it can often become quite prolific, forming dense clusters.

The plant’s stems are generally hollow and can grow to impressive heights, easily reaching up to one meter tall. Its leaves are pinnate and sharply toothed, adding to the plant’s distinctive appearance. Flowering occurs from late spring to early summer, showcasing clusters of small, bright yellow blossoms that are not only visually striking but also attract various pollinators, including bees and butterflies.

Great yellow cress is recognized for its adaptability and environmental benefits. It plays a crucial role in its native ecosystems by providing habitat and food for wildlife. Furthermore, its propensity for growing in wet conditions makes it an excellent candidate for use in phytoremediation, as the plant can help stabilize soil and reduce the risk of erosion in flood-prone areas.

Despite its ecological utility, it is vital to monitor the spread of Rorippa amphibia, particularly in non-native regions, as it can sometimes outcompete local flora and become invasive. Proper management and environmental assessments should be conducted to ensure that this plant’s introduction into new habitats does not disrupt existing ecosystems.

In summary, Great yellow cress (Rorippa amphibia) is a noteworthy plant within the Brassicaceae family, revered for its bright yellow flowers and environmental resilience. From Europe to Siberia and parts of North Africa and the Middle East, this species serves as a remarkable example of nature’s ingenuity, balancing beauty with ecological function.

Common Names

Eng: great yellow cress, great yellowcress, amphibious yellowcress, great yellow-cress, amphibious watercress, amphibious yellow-cress, greater yellow-cress
Dan: vandpeberrod
Deu: wasser-sumpfkresse
Nld: gele waterkers
Fra: rorippe amphibie, cresson amphibie, roripe amphibie, rorippa amphibie
Nor: vass-sennep
Nno: vasskarse
Nob: vasskarse
Swe: vattenfräne, vesinenätti, vattenkrasse, vattensenap
Fin: vesinenätti
Cym: berw melyn mwyaf y dŵr, berwr melyn mawr, berwr melyn mwyaf y dŵr, berwr y torlennydd
En: Great yellow cress, Great yellowcress, Great Yellow-cress, Amphibious yellowcress, Amphibious Yellow-Cress, Greater Yellow-Cress, Amphibious watercress
Be: Жарушнік земнаводны
Bg: Воден пореч
Cs: Rukev obojživelná
Da: Vandpeberrod
Nl: Gele waterkers
Et: Vesikerss
Fi: Vesinenätti
Fr: Cresson Amphibie, Rorippe amphibie, Roripe amphibie, Rorippa amphibie
De: Wasser-Sumpfkresse, Wasserkresse
He: רוריפה טובענית
Hu: Vízi kányafű
It: Crescione di Chiana, Crescione anfibio
No: Vass-sennep
Nb: Vasskarse
Nn: Vasskarse
Fa: ترتیزک زرد
Pl: Rzepicha ziemnowodna
Sk: Roripa obojživelná
Sv: Vattenfräne, Vesinenätti, Vattenkrasse, Vattensenap
Cy: Berwr Melyn Mawr, Berw Melyn Mwyaf y Dŵr, Berwr Melyn Mwyaf y Dŵr, Berwr y Torlennydd

Synonyms

• Nasturtium aquaticum (Wallr.)
• Rorippa amphibia var. indivisa ((DC.) Polozhij)
• Sisymbrium terrestre (Wahlenb.)
• Nasturtium amphibium var. variifolium (DC.)
• Sisymbrianthus amphibius ((L.) Chevall.)
• Brachiolobos amphibius ((L.) All.)
• Nasturtium amphibium var. pinnatifidum (Gray)
• Nasturtium amphibium var. indivisum (DC.)
• Armoracia natans ((DC.) Hook. & Arn.)
• Rorippa amphibia var. variifolia ((DC.) Polozhij)
• Nasturtium amphibium var. uliginosum (Boenn.)
• Sisymbrium amphibium var. aquaticum (L.)
• Rorippa gmelinii (Rouy & Foucaud)
• Nasturtium tentaculatum (Wallr.)
• Caroli-gmelina lancifolia (G.Gaertn., B.Mey. & Scherb.)
• Rorippa riparia (Schur)
• Sisymbrium palustre (Garsault)
• Myagrum natans (Patrin ex DC.)
• Brachiolobos riparius (Schur)
• Nasturtium amphibium var. integrifolium (Boenn.)
• Sisymbrium amphibium (L.)
• Rorippa amphibia var. natans ((DC.) Kotov)
• Cochlearia amphibia (Ledeb.)
• Armoracia amphibia ((L.) Peterm.)
• Sisymbrium aquaticum (Mill.)
• Sisymbrium diversifolium (Stokes)
• Sisymbrium amphibium subsp. terrestre ((L.) Ehrh.)
• Rorippa stolonifera (Nyman)
• Radicula lancifolia (Moench)
• Cochlearia natans (C.A.Mey.)
• Sisymbrianthus aquaticus ((Mill.) Chevall.)
• Nasturtium amphibium ((L.) W.T.Aiton)
• Myagrum aquaticum (Lam.)
• Nasturtium amphibium subsp. terrestre ((Tschern.) Nyman)
• Sisymbrium stoloniferum (J.Presl & C.Presl)
• Nasturtium natans (DC.)
• Nasturtium amphibium var. vulgare (Boenn.)
• Crucifera amphibia ((L.) E.H.L.Krause)
• Nasturtium commutatum (Opiz)
• Caroli-gmelina palustris (G.Gaertn., B.Mey. & Scherb.)
• Camelina aquatica (Brot.)
• Cardamine amphibia ((L.) Bubani)
• Rorippa amphibia f. variifolia ((DC.) Vict.)
• Radicula amphibia (Druce)
• Nasturtium amphibium var. auriculatum (Wimm. & Grab.)
• Nasturtium amphibium var. flore-pleno (Boenn.)
• Myagrum amphibium ((L.) Loisel.)
• Sisymbrium amphibium subsp. aquaticum ((L.) Ehrh.)
• Sisymbrium amphibium var. terrestre (L.)
• Armoracia aquatica (Kostel.)
• Sisymbrium roripa (Scop.)
• Rorippa edirnensis (Yıld.)
• Sisymbrium integrifolium (Gilib.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Maine (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jun 24, 2021 by Micha Papke (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2011 by parramon marta (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2020 by Wioletta Lizak (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 19, 2019 by alaala esden (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2017 by Ella Doveton (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 18, 2021 by Carine Charlier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2021 by echeveria_grey (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 22, 2022 by Goldfish Fishysons (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 15, 2020 by Andi Andi Viky (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 23, 2021 by Hana Fitriani (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 5, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Geneviève Botti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2020 by Mariella Van Gemeren (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 5, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Geneviève Botti (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2000 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2000 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2022 by Alexandre Labbe (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3053201)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:288622-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Rorippa amphibia (L.) Besser)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 5.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]

Soil nutriments: 6