CRESS encyclopedia topics

CRESS - 4 reference results

winter cress or upland cress, species of Barbarea, herbs of the family Cruciferae (mustard family). The pungent leaves of several species have been used for salads or garnishes, and the plants are sometimes cultivated as ornamentals, e.g., the common winter cress, or yellow rocket (B. vulgaris), in garden varieties with variegated leaves and double flowers. Widely naturalized in North America, it is a common weed (called spring mustard) of croplands. A medicinal substance, Herba Barbaraea, was formerly made from it and used in Europe for healing wounds. Another species, B. uverna, is often sold as cress in Europe. Winter cress is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Capparales, family Cruciferae.

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upland cress

upland cress: see winter cress.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia Copyright © 2004.
Licensed from Columbia University Press

cress

Any of several plants of the mustard family, of interest for their spicy young basal leaves, which are used in salads and as seasonings and garnishes. Watercress is perhaps the most popular of the edible cresses. Common garden cress, or peppergrass (Lepidium sativum) is widely grown, especially in its curl-leaved form, and used as a garnish. Others include weeds (e.g., Barbarea vulgaris), wild varieties (e.g., Cardamine pratensis), and ornamentals (e.g., Arabis species).

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.