Family: Brassicaceae
Author: W.T.Aiton
Bibliography: Hortus kew. ed. 2, 4:110. 1812
Year: 1812
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Nasturtium
Vegetable: True
Observations: Europe to C. Asia and Arabian Pen., Macaronesia, N. & NE. Trop. Africa
Description
Watercress, known scientifically as Nasturtium officinale, is a versatile and nutrient-rich aquatic or semi-aquatic plant prominent in various regions worldwide. This sturdy member of the Brassicaceae family is indigenous to a widespread geographical range, from Europe across to Central Asia and the Arabian Peninsula, extending further to Macaronesia, as well as North and Northeast tropical Africa.
Described by the renowned botanist William Townsend Aiton in the early 19th century, specifically in the publication “Hortus Kewensis” second edition in 1812, Watercress has captured the interest of horticulturists and botanical researchers alike due to its extensive distribution and resilience.
Thriving in the cool, clear waters of streams and rivers, Watercress has been harvested for centuries, both for culinary and medicinal purposes. The plant’s leaves possess a peppery, tangy flavor, making them a popular addition to salads, sandwiches, and various cooked dishes. Moreover, Watercress is acclaimed for its high nutritional value, being rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium, iron, and antioxidants.
Watercress spreads through a network of creeping stems that root at the nodes, forming dense mats that can quickly colonize available space in its preferred aquatic habitats. It is an excellent bioindicator of clean water, which means healthy populations of Watercress are often indicative of good water quality.
Additionally, Watercress has found a place in traditional medicine, believed to alleviate various ailments due to its purported detoxifying properties and capability to support respiratory and digestive health.
In conclusion, Watercress, or Nasturtium officinale, not only enriches our diets with its flavorful and nutritious leaves but also contributes to our understanding of healthy aquatic ecosystems. Its significant historical and botanical background, documented by W.T. Aiton, underscores its enduring value and fascinating journey from ancient times to modern culinary and medicinal uses.
Common Names
Deu: echte brunnenkresse
Eng: watercress
Nld: witte waterkers
En: Watercress, Water-cress, Brown Cress
Ca: Creixen ver
Nl: Witte waterkers, Echte Waterkers
Fr: Cresson de Fontaine, Cresson des fontaines, Cresson officinal, Brède-cresson, Cresson d’eau
De: Echte Brunnenkresse, Gemeine Brunnenkresse
It: Crescione d’acqua
Es: Berro, Berro de agua
Synonyms
- Nasturtium officinale var. paucijugatum (Gray)
- Nasturtium officinale var. praecox (Gray)
- Sisymbrium nasturtium-aquaticum (L.)
- Nasturtium insipidum (E.Rev. ex Foucaud & Rouy)
- Nasturtium fontanum (Asch.)
- Nasturtium officinale f. subasarifolium (Bolzon)
- Nasturtium officinale subsp. rotundifolium (A.P.Khokhr.)
- Cardamine nasturtium-aquaticum ((L.) Borbás)
- Nasturtium officinale var. minor (H.C.Hall ex Lej.)
- Arabis nasturtium (Clairv.)
- Cardaminum nasturtium (Moench)
- Nasturtium nasturtium-aquaticum ((L.) H.Karst.)
- Nasturtium officinale var. platyphyllum (Boenn.)
- Nasturtium siifolium (Phil.)
- Nasturtium officinale var. siifolium ((Rchb.) Steud.)
- Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum ((L.) Hayek)
- Baeumerta nasturtium (G.Gaertn., B.Mey. & Scherb.)
- Radicula nasturtium ((Thunb.) Cav.)
- Radicula nasturtium-aquaticum ((L.) Britten & Rendle)
- Sisymbrium fluviatile (Vell.)
- Cardamine aquatica ((Garsault) Nieuwl.)
- Sisymbrium amarum (Salisb.)
- Nasturtium officinale var. vulgare (Alef.)
- Nasturtium fontanum var. longisiliquum (Irmisch)
- Rorippa nasturtium (Beck)
- Crucifera fontana (E.H.L.Krause)
- Rorippa officinalis ((W.T.Aiton) P.Royen)
- Nasturtium officinale var. precosium (DC.)
- Cardamine fontana (Lam.)
- Radicula officinalis ((W.T.Aiton) J.Groves)
- Nasturtium alexandrinum (Crantz)
- Nasturtium parvifolium ((Peterm.) H.W.Howard & Manton)
- Nasturtium officinale var. intermedium (Gren.)
- Nasturtium officinale var. insipidum (P.Fourn.)
- Nasturtium officinale var. asarifolium (Rouy & Foucaud)
- Nasturtium officinale subsp. parvifolium ((Peterm.) Arcang.)
- Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum var. longisiliqua ((Irmisch) B.Boivin)
- Nasturtium roridulum (Bello)
- Nasturtium officinale var. parviflorum (Gaudin)
- Sisymbrium cardaminefolium (Gilib.)
- Nasturtium officinale var. parvifolium ((Peterm.) Rouy & Foucaud)
Distribution
- Afghanistan (native)
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Austria (native)
- Azores (native)
- Baleares (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Canary Is. (native)
- Cape Verde (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Chad (native)
- Corse (native)
- Cyprus (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- East Aegean Is. (native)
- Egypt (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Iran (native)
- Iraq (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Italy (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Kirgizstan (native)
- Kriti (native)
- Krym (native)
- Libya (native)
- Madeira (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Palestine (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Saudi Arabia (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- Sinai (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sudan (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Turkmenistan (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Uzbekistan (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Alabama (introduced)
- Alaska (introduced)
- Alberta (introduced)
- Angola (introduced)
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- Argentina Northwest (introduced)
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- New Zealand North (introduced)
- Newfoundland (introduced)
- Nicaragua (introduced)
- Niger (introduced)
- Norfolk Is. (introduced)
- North Carolina (introduced)
- North Dakota (introduced)
- Northern Provinces (introduced)
- Northern Territory (introduced)
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- Ohio (introduced)
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- Queensland (introduced)
- Québec (introduced)
- Rhode I. (introduced)
- Rodrigues (introduced)
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- Society Is. (introduced)
- Solomon Is. (introduced)
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- South Carolina (introduced)
- South Dakota (introduced)
- Sri Lanka (introduced)
- St.Helena (introduced)
- Taiwan (introduced)
- Tanzania (introduced)
- Tasmania (introduced)
- Tennessee (introduced)
- Texas (introduced)
- Tibet (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
- Tristan da Cunha (introduced)
- Tubuai Is. (introduced)
- Uruguay (introduced)
- Utah (introduced)
- Venezuela (introduced)
- Vermont (introduced)
- Victoria (introduced)
- Vietnam (introduced)
- Virginia (introduced)
- Washington (introduced)
- West Virginia (introduced)
- Western Australia (introduced)
- Windward Is. (introduced)
- Wisconsin (introduced)
- Wyoming (introduced)
- Xinjiang (introduced)
- Zaïre (introduced)
- Zimbabwe (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Apr 24, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 24, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 24, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 24, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 24, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jan 13, 2020 by umesh umesh (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 3, 2020 by Villamizar Laura (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 26, 2021 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 31, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 24, 2018 by jose (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.
Habit
Taken Sep 28, 2020 by beurny (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 22, 2019 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 24, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 24, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 24, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Oct 16, 2021 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 25, 2021 by françois boca (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 22, 2019 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 16, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 28, 2020 by beurny (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken May 27, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 22, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Luc GORREMANS (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 27, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 31, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Chloe M (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 9, 2022 by viader (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken May 24, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 2, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 23, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 13, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Pascal MILCENT (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 11, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Paul Fabre (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7701037)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:287534-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Nasturtium officinale R.Br.)
Specifications
Growth form: Multiple Stem
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth rate: Moderate
Growth
Ph maximum: 8.0
Ph minimum: 6.4
Light: 7
Atmospheric humidity: 9
Soil nutriments: 6
