Encyclopedia - Plants for ponds
Amphibious yellowcress
Rorippa amphibia
Amphibious yellowcress (Rorippa amphibia) – a perennial herbaceous aquatic plant of the Cabbage family (Brassicáceae).
A plant of the flora of temperate Europe. It grows in standing water: in river oxbows, in ditches, and on lowland marshes.
The stem is fleshy, ascending or almost erect. It branches in the upper part, the branches ending in an inflorescence — a raceme.
The upper leaves are entire, oblong, wavy or saw-toothed at the margin, sessile, without a petiole. The lower a leaf is on the stem, the closer to the water, the more deeply it is divided. Leaves that are in the water are divided into many very narrow parts — segments, which have a short petiole.
Flowers in early summer. The petals are bright yellow. The fruits are small rounded pods. The plant has a strong radish-like smell. This is characteristic of the cabbage family, which includes radish, garden radish, cabbage, and horseradish. In some areas the young shoots of the yellowcress are eaten as a salad.
Location: grows best in direct sunlight. Not demanding regarding soil. Plant directly in the ground on a waterlogged bank or in containers that can be sunk to a depth of up to 15 cm.
Care: undemanding; remove excess plants when they spread. Winter-hardy.
Propagation: by cuttings, less often by seeds.