Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticus - Water-cress - (Brassicaceae)

This well-known salad plant is a member of the cabbage family. It grows in shallow water and is particularly abundant in lime-rich ditches and small streams.

Water-cress is widespread throughout the UK and Ireland.

Water-cress

The white flowers, which are between 4 mm and 6 mm across, have four petals. Water-cress blooms from May right through the summer and into October.

Water-cress

It is unwise to eat water-cress from streams running through sheep country or anywhere that the water is stagnant; liver flukes, tiny parasites that can attack human beings as well as farm anuimals, are likely to inhabit such places.

The plants on this page were photographed on the River Meon in June.