Whitetop (Cardaria draba)

Other names Hoary cress

At a glance

Lifecycle: Perennial (hardy)
Exposure: Full sun
Frost limit: −23.3 °C

Cultivation

Succeeds in a sunny position in most soils.

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ in spring. There is very little need to encourage this plant, it is a rapidly spreading weed in Britain. Division in spring.

Edible uses

Young leaves and shoots - raw in salads or cooked as a potherb. In small quantities this substance is fairly harmless, and has even been recommended as having health benefits, but caution is suggested if you eat these leaves[K]. The pungent leaves are used as a seasoning. The seed is used as a condiment, it is a pepper substitute.

Medicinal uses

The plant is antiscorbutic. The seeds have been used as a cure for flatulence and fish poison. It is assumed that this report is referring to food poisoning caused by eating suspect fish[K].

Habitat

A weed of arable fields, it is spreading rapidly in Britain.

Native range

Europe - Mediterranean to W. Asia. Naturalized in Britain.