Uses
Edible uses
Notes
Young leaves - raw or cooked[1][2][3][4][5][6]. A hot cress-like flavour, it makes an excellent addition (in small quantities) to the salad bowl[K]. An analysis is available.
Root is used as a condiment[7][8]. A hot pungent flavour, but the root is rather small and woody[K]. The fresh or dried seedpods can be used as a pungent seasoning[6]. The seed can be sprouted in relatively low light until the shoots are a few centimetres long and then be used in salads[6]. They take about 7 days to be ready and have a pleasantly hot flavour.
An edible oil is obtained from the seed[7][8][9].Leaves
Material uses
The seed yields up to 58% of an edible oil that can also be used for lighting[10].
Unknown part
Medicinal uses(Warning!)
The leaves are antiscorbutic, diuretic and stimulant[7][11].
The plant is administered in cases of asthma, cough with expectoration and bleeding piles[11]. The root is used in the treatment of secondary syphilis and tenesmus[11].
The seeds are galactogogue. They have been boiled with milk and used to procure an abortion, they have been applied as a poultice to pains and hurts and have also been used as an aperient[11].Unknown part
Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
Nothing listed.
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
Propagation
Seed - if you want a succession of young leaves then it is possible to sow the seed in situ every 3 weeks in succession from early spring to early autumn. Germination is very rapid, usually taking place in less than a week.
When sowing seed for use in mustard and cress, the seed is soaked for about 12 hours in warm water and then placed in a humid position. Traditionally, it is sown in a tray on a thin layer of soil, or on some moist blotting paper, and the tray is placed in a warm dark place for a few days to encourage rapid and rather etiolated growth. The seedlings can then be placed in a lighter position for a couple more days to turn green before being eaten. The cress seed should be sown about 3 - 4 days before the mustard for them both to be ready at the same time[12].
Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Lepidium sativum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
Cultivation
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils[5]. For the best results, however, it requires a moist soil and also some shade during the summer to prevent it running straight to seed[3][13][5].
Garden cress is often cultivated as a sprouted seed, there are some named varieties[6]. It is the cress of 'mustard and cress'. A very easy and fast crop, it can be ready within 7 days from sowing the seed[3]. It can also be grown outdoors as full grown plants and can provide fresh leaves for the salad bowl all year round from successional sowings. Plants can be overwintered outdoors to provide edible leaves all year round, though they will require some protection if temperatures fall below -5°c[14]. This plant is cultivated in Ethiopia for the edible oil from its seed[6].
Crops
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Lepidium sativum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.
Polycultures & Guilds
There are no polycultures listed which include Lepidium sativum.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
Taxonomy
Binomial name
Lepidium sativum
Genus
Lepidium
Family
Brassicaceae
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
?
Herbaceous or Woody
?
Life Cycle
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
References
- ? 1.01.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
- ? 2.02.1 Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins ISBN 0-00-219060-5 (1974-00-00)
- ? 3.03.13.23.3 Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8 ()
- ? 4.04.1 Harrison. S. Wallis. M. Masefield. G. The Oxford Book of Food Plants. Oxford University Press (1975-00-00)
- ? 5.05.15.25.3 Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn (1980-00-00)
- ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.5 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
- ? 7.07.17.27.37.4 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
- ? 8.08.18.2 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
- ? 9.09.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
- ? 10.010.1 Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation (1968-00-00)
- ? 11.011.111.211.311.4 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (1986-00-00)
- ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Vegetables Macmillan Reference Books, London. ISBN 0 333 62640 0 (1995-00-00)
- ? Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. (1878-00-00)
- ? 14.014.1 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
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