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Nasturtium x sterile
  • Brown Watercress

a perennial member of the Nasturtium genus in the family Brassicaceae.

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsaquatic
    Aquatic
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Nasturtium x sterile has 0 edible uses listed
Nasturtium x sterile has 0 material uses listed
Nasturtium x sterile has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

Whilst the plant is very wholesome and nutritious, some care should be taken if harvesting it from the wild. Any plants growing in water that drains from fields where animals, particularly sheep, graze should not be used raw. This is due to the risk of it being infested with the liver fluke parasite[1][2]. Cooking the leaves, however, will destroy any parasites and render the plant perfectly safe to eat[2].

Edible uses

Notes

Leaves - raw or cooked[3][1][4][5][6][7]. Water cress is mainly used as a garnish or as an addition to salads, the flavour is strong with a characteristic hotness[8]. It has a reputation as a spring tonic, and this is its main season of use, though it can be harvested for most of the year and can give 10 pickings annually[9]. Some caution is advised if gathering the plant from the wild, see the notes above on toxicity. The leaves are exceptionally rich in vitamins and minerals, especially iron[10]. A nutritional analysis is available[11].

Leaves

Unknown use

Material uses

The juice of the plant is a nicotine solvent and is used as such on strong tobaccos[4].

Unknown part

Hair care

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Watercress is very rich in vitamins and minerals, and has long been valued as a food and medicinal plant[12]. Considered a cleansing herb, its high content of vitamin C makes it a remedy that is particularly valuable for chronic illnesses[12]. The leaves are antiscorbutic, depurative, diuretic, expectorant, purgative, hypoglycaemic, odontalgic, stimulant and stomachic[13][4][5][14][15][16][9]. The plant has been used as a specific in the treatment of TB[13]. The freshly pressed juice has been used internally and externally in the treatment of chest and kidney complaints, chronic irritations and inflammations of the skin etc[5]. Applied externally, it has a long-standing reputation as an effective hair tonic, helping to promote the growth of thick hair[2]. A poultice of the leaves is said to be an effective treatment for healing glandular tumours or lymphatic swellings[2]. Some caution is advised, excessive use of the plant can lead to stomach upsets[5][14]. The leaves can be harvested almost throughout the year and are used fresh[9].

Unknown part

Antiscorbutic
Depurative
Diuretic
Expectorant
Hypoglycaemic
Odontalgic
Purgative
Stimulant
Stomachic
TB

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Cuttings can be taken at any time in the growing season. Virtually any part of the plant, including a single leaf, will form roots if detached from the parent plant[17]. Just put it in a container of water until the roots are well formed and then plant out in shallow water.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Nasturtium x sterile. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Watercress is easily grown when given the correct conditions of slowly flowing clean water, preferably coming from chalky or limestone soils[18]. It prefers to grow in water about 5cm deep[19] with an optimum pH 7.2[10]. Plants can be grown in wet soil if the position is somewhat shaded and protection is given in winter, though the flavour may be hotter[7][19].

Hardy to about -15°c[10]. Brown watercress is often cultivated for its edible leaves, there are some named varieties[6][8]. The plant is very sensitive to pollution so a clean source of water is required[10]. Plants will often continue to grow all through mild winters. A fast-growing plant, the stems trail along the ground or float in water and produce new roots at the leaf nodes, thus making the plant very easy to propagate vegetatively[9]. Unfortunately, virus diseases have become more common in cultivated plants and so this species is seldom cultivated at present[18]. This is a sterile hybrid, so does not form seed. It has been produced in the wild by natural hybridisation between the diploid species N. officinale and the triploid N. microphyllum[18].

The flowers are a rich source of pollen and so are very attractive to bees[4].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Nasturtium x sterile. 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 Nasturtium x sterile.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Nasturtium x sterile
Genus
Nasturtium
Family
Brassicaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[3][1][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]
Medicinal uses
[12][13][4][5][14][15][16][9][2]
Material uses & Functions
[4]
Botanic
[10]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
aquatic
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    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
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.5 x 1 meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    Bees, Flies, Self
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite











    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins ISBN 0-00-219060-5 (1974-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.4 Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. ISBN 0-330-30725-8 (1990-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.6 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.5 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Simons. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-050-0 (1977-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.2 Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8 ()
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.49.5 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.410.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.2 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.2 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.2 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.1 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    17. ? Muhlberg. H. Complete Guide to Water Plants. E. P. Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0-7158-0789-7 (1982-00-00)
    18. ? 18.018.118.2 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Vegetables Macmillan Reference Books, London. ISBN 0 333 62640 0 (1995-00-00)
    19. ? 19.019.1 Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. (1878-00-00)

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    Facts about "Nasturtium x sterile"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyBrassicaceae +
    Belongs to genusNasturtium +
    Has common nameBrown Watercress +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partLeaves +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile +, Bee +, Flies + and Self +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone6 +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useHair care +
    Has mature height0.5 +
    Has mature width1 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntiscorbutic +, Depurative +, Diuretic +, Expectorant +, Hypoglycaemic +, Odontalgic +, Purgative +, Stimulant +, Stomachic + and TB +
    Has search namenasturtium x sterile + and x +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameNasturtium x sterile +
    Has water requirementsaquatic +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +