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Summary

A widespread European mustard now common in moist, temperate parts of North America, garden yellowrocket provides generous spring greens and edible flower shoots. Raw leaves are peppery; brief boiling or sautéing yields a savory, yellow-green broth and pleasant cooked greens. It can be locally weedy in damp, disturbed soils. USDA zones: 3–9 (biennial/winter annual). Height/Spread: 40–90 cm × 25–45 cm.

Physical Characteristics

Barbarea vulgaris is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) by 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 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]. Foraging: Leaves (raw in small amounts; best cooked), pre-bloom shoots/buds as raab. Flowers are garnish-edible. Edibility rating: 3/5 (reliable pot-herb; quality depends on youth and site) [2-3]. Raw: peppery/mustardy, “relatively mild” versus other wild mustards but still assertive. Briefly boil (2–3 min) or blanch and then sauté yields savory, mildly bitter greens and a vibrant, yellow-green broth ideal for soups/grains. Mix with fat (olive oil, butter) and acid (lemon/vinegar). Tight buds stir-fry well. Avoid roadside or fertilized edges that can intensify harshness [2-3]. Seasonality (Phenology): Rosettes: autumn–early spring. Harvest greens: early–mid spring (best pre-bolt). Flower/seed: late spring–early summer; palatability declines after full bloom. Seed set: early/mid summer. Look-Alikes & Confusion Risks: Other yellow-flowered mustards (Sinapis/Brassica, Rorippa, Descurainia), and edible upland cress (B. verna). Confirm glabrous plant, clasping upper leaves, and siliques with ~=3 mm beak. Not to be confused with toxic buttercups (5+ petals, different fruit) or hemlock (umbels, not racemes). Traditional/Indigenous Use Summary: Primarily a European potherb adopted by settlers in North America; in many regions it served as a spring tonic green. Limited indigenous North American food records compared with other native mustards.

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

Ecology & Wildlife: Early nectar/pollen for hoverflies, bees. Larval host for some brassica-feeding Lepidoptera; stands can harbor beneficial predators that help adjacent crops.

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Identification & Habit: Biennial to short-lived perennial; glabrous. Basal leaves pinnate with fewer lobes than B. verna; upper leaves clasping and lobed. Bright yellow 4-petaled flowers in racemes. Siliques 2–5 cm, rounded-tetragonal, typically with a distinct beak to ~3 mm (key difference from B. orthoceras). Plants often form colonies along wet ditches and stream edges. 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]. Cultivar/Selection Notes: No named horticultural cultivars for wild use; culinary seed is sold as wintercress/yellow rocket. Some strains are slightly broader-leafed and milder. Pests & Problems: Flea beetles, aphids, sporadic cabbageworms; diseases include white rust (Albugo candida), downy mildew, and leaf spots in wet springs. Heat causes rapid bolting.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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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.

Moderate to high locally. In moist, disturbed soils it naturalizes and can crowd natives. Less persistent in dry, hot climates. 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 Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Barbarea australis		Biennial/Perennial	0.5	-		LMH	SN	M	2	1
Barbarea orthoceras	American Yellowrocket	Perennial	0.5	3-8		LMH	SN	M	3	0	1
Barbarea stricta	Small-flowered winter-cress	Biennial	0.8	3-10	F	LMH	N	MWe	2	0	0
Barbarea verna	Land Cress, Early yellowrocket	Biennial	0.3	4-9		LMH	FSN	M	3	0	1

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.

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Barbarea vulgaris - R.Br.