(17 votes, average: 4.53 out of 5)
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Wintercress
Edible 
Spring 
Winter
Wintercress, Barbarea vulgaris looking healthy in early Spring.
Although slightly bitter this cress can be found from December on and was probably important as a fresh green herb to early man in the winter months.
| Hedgerow Type | |
| Common Names | Wintercress |
| Scientific Name | Barbarea vulgaris |
| Season Start | Dec |
| Season End | Jun |
Please note that each and every hedgerow item you come across may vary in appearance to these photos.
Leaves
Deeply lobed, dark green shiny leaves.
Flowers
Typical cruciform (four petals in a cross) yellow brassica flowers.
Flower Buds
The unopened flower buds look similar to broccoli.
Flower Stem
Only develops a stem for flowering which is slightly ridged and smooth.
Seed Pods
Long, thin and erect.
Habitat
Hedgerows, flower beds and wood edges.
Possible Confusion
Other cresses.
Taste
Hot and cress like with a peppery, slightly bitter taste.
Frequency
Uncommon.
Collecting
The leaves and unopened flower buds can be eaten raw or cooked and the flowers can be used in salads.
6 comments for Wintercress
Can this be confused with anything you wouldn’t want to eat?
Not really, it’s quite a distinctive plant, but I have seen it growing beside Hemlock Water Dropwort quite a few times.
We appear to have this in abundance in our garden following a year when the garden was allowed to go to nature rather than being cultivated. Possibly arriving following on from all the wild bird seed that was dispersed last year. But its now late April and I have only just discovered what this is and its possible uses. Is there a time when you shouldn’t eat this plant?
By the time the plant has flowered, the leaves will be a bit tougher and probably more bitter but it will not harm you at any time.
Can this be confused with the black mustard plant?
They can look similar, tasting the leaves will be the beat way as Mustard starts sweet before it gets hot and Wintercress has a more bitter taste.