winter cress

any cress belonging to the genus Barbarea, of the mustard family, having lyrate leaves and yellow flowers.

[1540-50]

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▪ plant

      any of about 20 species of the genus Barbarea, weedy herbs of the mustard family (Brassicaceae), native to the north temperate region. Common winter cress, or rocket (B. vulgaris), in early summer bears branched flower stems 80 cm (32 inches) tall with unstalked, small, lobed leaves and small, bright-yellow flowers. The fruits are many-seeded, long, narrow capsules. Early winter cress, or scurvy grass (B. verna), has basal leaves with four to eight pairs of lobes—about twice as many as common winter cress. Both species have been cultivated as salad plants.

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