Winter-cress, yellow rocket (Barbarea vulgaris, Hortus kew. ed. 2, 4:109. 1812)

Family: Brassicaceae

Author: W.T.Aiton

Bibliography: Hortus kew. ed. 2, 4:109. 1812

Year: 1812

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Barbarea

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe, Medit. to Japan

Description

Winter-cress, also known as yellow rocket, is a versatile and resilient plant recognized for its vibrant yellow flowers and hardy nature. Scientifically named Barbarea vulgaris, this plant has its origins traced back to Europe and the Mediterranean regions extending all the way to Japan. This wide geographical distribution showcases its adaptability to various climates and environments.

Belonging to the family Brassicaceae, which includes other well-known species like cabbages and mustards, Winter-cress shares several common traits with its relatives. The plant typically thrives in moist, disturbed soils and can often be found in meadows, along roadsides, and in other open areas.

One distinguishing feature of Winter-cress is its striking yellow flowers that bloom in clusters, often in early spring, adding a splash of color to the landscape. These bright blooms are not only aesthetically pleasing but also attract various pollinators, playing a role in the local ecosystem.

The plant’s leaves are also notable; they are rich green and often have a glossy surface, contributing to their appealing appearance. The leaves are sometimes used in salads or as garnishing due to their peppery flavor, much like watercress.

Winter-cress was formally described by W.T. Aiton in 1812 and was documented in the reference work “Hortus kew. ed. 2, 4:109.” This historical context underscores the longstanding recognition of the plant’s properties and its inclusion in botanical records.

Overall, Winter-cress is a noteworthy plant both for its visual charm and its ecological significance, making it a subject of interest not only for botanists but also for horticulturists and nature enthusiasts alike.

Common Names

Deu: barbarakraut, echte winterkresse
Eng: bittercress, cressy-greens, garden yellow rocket, garden yellowrocket, herb-barbaras, rocket cress, upland cress, winter cress, wintercress, yellow rocket, bitter wintercress, winter-cress, common winter-cress, common wintercress, cress
Por: erva-de-santa-bárbara
Fra: herbe aux charpentiers, herbe de sainte-barbe, barbarée vulgaire, barbarée commune, cresson d’hiver, cresson de terre
Spa: hierba de santa bárbara
Fin: peltokanankaali
Swe: peltokanankaali, sommargyllen
Nno: vinterkarse
Nob: vinterkarse
Sme: geassefiski
Cym: berwr caersalem, berwr melyn y gaeaf, berwr y gaeaf
En: Winter-cress, yellow rocket, Herb Barbaras, Rocket Cress, Upland Cress, Winter Cress, Yellow Rocket, Bitter Cress, Garden Yellowrocket, Land Cress, Winter-cress
Ca: Herba de santa Bàrbara
Cs: Barborka obecná
Da: Almindelig vinterkarse
Nl: Gewoon barbarakruid
Fr: Barbarée commune, Herbe aux Charpentiers, Herbe de Sainte-Barbe, Girarde jaune, Herbe de sainte Barbe, Julienne jaune, Barbarée vulgaire
De: Echtes Barbarakraut, Gemeines Barbarakraut, Echte Winterkresse, Gemeine Winterkresse
It: Erba di Santa Barbara comune
Sk: Barborka obyčajná
Es: Hierba de Santa Bárbara, Hierba de los carpinteros
Sv: Sommargyllen
: Garden yellowrocket

Synonyms

• Erysimum barbarea (L.)
• Barbarea lepuznica (Nyár.)
• Barbarea barbarea (MacMill.)
• Crucifera barbaraea ((L.) E.H.L.Krause)
• Campe vulgaris ((R.Br.) Dulac)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Chita (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Alaska (introduced)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Amur (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Iceland (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Labrador (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• North European Russi (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Prince Edward I. (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Sakhalin (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Svalbard (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Apr 21, 2017 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2017 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2017 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 21, 2017 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 16, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2022 by Dan d’Auge (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2021 by Manū (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2020 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 21, 2021 by freesoul_earthling (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2021 by Nicolas Legay (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 28, 2016 by Kurt Peys (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2022 by papaserial (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 18, 2017 by Isabelle Ribaute (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 30, 1852 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 29, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Pierre CROUZET (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Dominique REMAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude ECHARDOUR (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2022 by Renaud Jégat (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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:29455-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5708780)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Barbarea vulgaris R.Br.)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7941223)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Soil nutriments: 7