Where To Find Watercress In The Wild

Watercress is one of the building block plants of easy foraging.

Where to find watercress in the wild.

It is acknowledged as one of the oldest of the wild edible green species consumed by humans and although once native to europe and asia has now naturalized to many parts of the world conducive to its growth. Warnings be careful if you harvest plants from the wild. One always in demand item is watercress which thrives in northern alabama s many natural springs growing almost year round in some because of their consistently favorable temperatures. This video will teach you how to recognize the good and bad kinds of watercress in the wild and use them as an effective wilderness food source.

Another very similar wild relative is hairy bittercress. Like most mustards watercress has a spicy peppery flavor. Watercress nasturtium officinale by dave moore. Watercress is an extremely healthy plant when consumed however it can also be deadly if you select the wrong plant.

Watercress grows in shallow running water so it is easy to find. Watercress blooms through much of the growing season from spring through fall so you can often use the flowers to help identify the plant. Hence an old name cruciferae for the mustard family to which watercress belongs watercress is commonly found in cold alkaline waters of springs spring runs and similar streams throughout the state of missouri as well as. Along with nettles lamb s quarters and amaranth it forms the foundation of the wild salad mixture that i ve served in restaurants for a number of years now it s relatively easy to find and identify tastes great lasts in the fridge and doesn t quickly wilt if handled.

Watercress is a glossy looking mostly hairless medium sized aquatic or sub aquatic. All parts of the plant are edible. White flowers appear above the water from march through october. Watercress is in the brassicaceae formerly cruciferae family which makes it a mustard like its relatives kale cabbage collard greens arugula broccoli and of course mustard.

Watercress is an aquatic leafy green vegetable that grows wild in shallow waterways ponds streams and natural springs. Its flowers are small and white and occur in long clusters like other mustards. Interest in wild edibles has never been higher among the adventurous chefs who rely on pfitzer and other foragers.