Barbarea vulgaris
| Barbarea vulgaris | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Late Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Barbarea vulgaris (common name: yellow rocket)
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.
Cultivation: Succeeds in sun or shade in a moist well-drained soil[1][2]. 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[3].
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[3].
A good bee plant[4].
Range: Most of Europe, including Britain, south and east to N. Africa and Asia.
Habitat: Moist places, roadsides, stream banks and hedges[5].
Edibility: Young leaves - raw or cooked like spinach[6][5][7][8][9][10]. A hot cress-like flavour[3]. 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[3]. The leaves are available all year round, even in the winter, especially if the weather is mild[10][11]. 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[12]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
Young flowering stems - harvested before the flowers open and cooked like broccoli[3].
Medicinal: The leaves are vulnerary and have been used as a poultice for treating wounds[13][14].
A tea made from the leaves is appetizer, antiscorbutic and diuretic[15].
Pollinators: Flies, bees, beetles, self
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Mid Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: There is a report that ingestion of the leaves can lead to kidney malfunction[15].
Also Known As: Campe barbarea. Erysimum barbarea.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Sanders, Thomas. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge, 1926.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association, 1981.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Vilmorin-Andrieux. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Larkcom, Joy. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn, 1980.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Saunders, Charles. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications, 1976.
- ↑ Sowerby, John. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. 1862.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger. Herbs. Pan Books, 1990.
- ↑ Coffey, Timothy. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File, 1993.
- ↑ Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.