Hairy Bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta)

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

Cardamine hirsuta is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from April to August, and the seeds ripen from May to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves, Flowers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

flavour, they are mainly used as a garnish or flavouring in salads etc but are also sometimes used as a potherb. — Leaves and flowers - raw or cooked.; A hot cress-like flavour, they are mainly used as a garnish or flavouring in salads etc but are also sometimes used as a potherb.; The plant germinates most freely in the autumn and so leaves are usually available all winter.

Habitat & North American Range

Open and cultivated ground, rocks, scree, walls etc. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)