What is watercress? Introducing this vegetable

Watercress, also known as dou ban cai, has other names including dong yang cao and watercress. It is a perennial aquatic herbaceous plant in the genus Nasturtium of the cruciferous family (Brassicaceae). Watercress originated in Europe and was introduced to China by the Portuguese in the 19th century. Wild varieties are found in many regions of China, India and Southeast Asia. In China, it is cultivated more extensively in the Guangzhou and Shantou areas and in Guangxi.

What is watercress

Watercress, also known as dou ban cai, has other names including dong yang cao, watercress, water field mustard, liang cai, nai sheng cai, water mustard, water han cai and so on. It is a perennial aquatic herbaceous plant in the genus Nasturtium of the cruciferous family (Brassicaceae), 20-40 cm tall, entirely smooth and hairless, with odd-pinnate compound leaves, 3-9 leaflets, broadly ovate, oblong or nearly round, the leaflet stalks slender and flat, the leaf stalk base ear-shaped and slightly clasping the stem, with a terminal raceme, many flowers, long-ovate sepals, white petals, obovate or broadly shaped, slender fruit stalks, a short style, flowering in April-May and fruiting in June-July.

Watercress originated in Europe and was introduced to China by the Portuguese in the 19th century. Wild varieties are found in many regions of China, India and Southeast Asia. In China, it is cultivated more extensively in the Guangzhou and Shantou areas and in Guangxi.

Watercress growing habits

It prefers cool conditions and dislikes high temperatures, growing well within a temperature range of 15-25°C; when the temperature exceeds 30°C, the plant's growth is affected. It is frost-tolerant, but at such times the leaves tend to drop off.