Edible plants – Hairy Bittercress – Cardimine hirsuta

Edible plants – Hairy Bittercress – Cardimine hirsuta

About

• Hairy Bittercress is sometimes known as ‘Hoary Bittercress’
• Found in rocky areas or cultivated ground such as gardens, often found as a ‘weed’
• Grows up to 30cm high, while the flower at the tip of the stem has four petals which are approximately 2.5-5mm long
• Can be seen January to December

Distinguishing features and how to identify

• Hairy Bittercress is usually small, hairy and has a rosette of leaves at its base
• The petals are small and white with four (sometimes six) stamens
• The stem grows at a vertical angle with seed pods growing on the upper region of the stem, above the leaves and below the flower

Uses

• Both the flowers and leaves are edible and are great in a salad, salsa or pesto
• The leaves taste like rocket when raw
• Full of vitamin C, magnesium, calcium, beta-carotene and antioxidants