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Barbarea vulgaris - R.Br.

Common Name Yellow Rocket, Garden yellowrocket
Family Brassicaceae or Cruciferae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards There is a report that ingestion of the leaves can lead to kidney malfunction[222].
Habitats Moist places, roadsides, stream banks and hedges[9].
Range Most of Europe, including Britain, south and east to N. Africa and Asia.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Barbarea vulgaris Yellow Rocket, Garden yellowrocket


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:31_Barbarea_vulgaris_R.Br.jpg
Barbarea vulgaris Yellow Rocket, Garden yellowrocket
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Barbarea_vulgaris_ENBLA06.jpg

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Barbarea vulgaris is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies, bees, beetles. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Campe barbarea. Erysimum barbarea.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedgerow; North Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves
Edible Uses:

Young leaves - raw or cooked like spinach[2, 9, 27, 46, 52, 95]. A hot cress-like flavour[183]. Young leaves are chopped up finely and added to salads, older leaves can be used as a potherb but they are rather strong and are best cooked in one or two changes of water[183]. The leaves are available all year round, even in the winter, especially if the weather is mild[95, 115]. To increase the productivity of the plants, remove the flowering stems as they appear (they can be eaten like the leaves[K]) and pick the outer leaves as the plant regrows[244]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Young flowering stems - harvested before the flowers open and cooked like broccoli[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiscorbutic  Appetizer  Diuretic  Vulnerary

The leaves are vulnerary and have been used as a poultice for treating wounds[207, 240]. A tea made from the leaves is appetizer, antiscorbutic and diuretic[222].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in sun or shade in a moist well-drained soil[1, 111]. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.8 to 7.5. The plant can continue to grow all winter, especially if the weather is mild[183]. A short-lived perennial[1], though plants usually self-sow freely when in a suitable position[K]. There is at least one named form, developed for its ornamental value. 'Variegata' has variegated leaves and grows less strongly than the type[183]. A good bee plant[108].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in situ. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks. Division in spring. his plant is a short-lived perennial, and also usually self-sows freely, so we have not found division to be worthwhile.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

English – Herb Barbaras, Yellow Rocket, Upland Cress, Winter Cress, Rocket Cress French – Herbe aux Charpentiers, Herbe de Sainte-Barbe. Spanish – Hierba de Santa Bárbara

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation (Dagestan), Russian Federation-Western Siberia (Western Siberia), Russian Federation-Eastern Siberia (Eastern Siberia (southwest)), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, China (Heilongjiang Sheng, Jiangsu Sheng, Jilin Sheng, Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu), Japan (Hokkaidô, Honshu, Kyushu, Ryukyu Islands, Shikoku) TROPICAL ASIA: India (Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh), Sri Lanka, Pakistan EUROPE: Denmark, United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden (south), Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Russian Federation (European part), Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Algeria, Tunisia

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

This plant can be weedy or invasive. Some evidence in the US including Kentucky, the North West, Nebraska.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Least Concern.

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Barbarea australis Biennial/Perennial0.5 -  LMHSNM21 
Barbarea orthocerasAmerican YellowrocketPerennial0.5 0-0  LMHSNM200
Barbarea strictaSmall-flowered winter-cressBiennial0.8 3-10 FLMHNMWe200
Barbarea vernaLand Cress, Early yellowrocketBiennial0.3 5-9  LMHFSNM30 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

R.Br.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

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Subject : Barbarea vulgaris  
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