Watercress is a semi-aquatic plant that grows in and around cold, clear, spring-fed streams and seeps across North America and the world. Native to Europe but widely naturalized across North America, it forms dense mats of dark-green compound leaves with a sharp, peppery flavor. Watercress is one of the oldest known leaf vegetables consumed by humans and is extremely rich in vitamin C, iron, and calcium. It serves as a critical habitat and food source for stream macroinvertebrates.
Best time to see a Watercress
The best time to see a Watercress is February–June, when about 64% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 8,588 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Watercress? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
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