Large Bittercress (Cardamine amara)

Family: Brassicaceae or Cruciferae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Cardamine amara is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from April to June, and the seeds ripen from May to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, beetles, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

flavour, nice in small quantities in a salad and available all year round in most years. — A hot cress-like flavour, nice in small quantities in a salad and available all year round in most years.; A somewhat bitter flavour.

Habitat & North American Range

By springs, in fens and on streamsides, preferring a peaty soil. Often found in trickling water. Often the dominant ground flora in alder woods with moving damp water. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)