american watercress
Noun 1. A plant species: A common name for two distinct perennial plants in the mustard family (Brassicaceae) that grow in or near water and have edible, peppery leaves. * Cardamine rotundifolia: A mat-forming plant native to cold springs in the eastern United States. * Nasturtium microphyllum (formerly Rorippa microphylla): A plant native to southwestern Europe, often cultivated, for example in Florida.
- Noun:
- The stream was bordered by lush American watercress.
- Foragers often search for American watercress to add a spicy note to salads.
- The two species referred to as American watercress are Cardamine rotundifolia and Nasturtium microphyllum.
- As a culinary ingredient: The term is used primarily in foraging, gardening, and culinary contexts to describe the edible, aquatic plant.
- The chef garnished the dish with freshly picked American watercress.
- Watercress (noun): A more common general term for similar edible aquatic plants, most notably .
- (noun): The scientific/botanical name for one specific species called American watercress.
- (noun): The scientific/botanical name for the other species called American watercress.
- Cress (noun): A general term for various plants with pungent leaves, often used in salads.
- Peppergrass (noun): A common name for some related plants with a spicy flavor.
This term is a compound noun ("American" + "watercress"). Its primary meaning is as a common name for specific botanical species. It is important to distinguish it from the more widely cultivated "watercress" (Nasturtium officinale), though they are related and used similarly. The definition encompasses two different species that share the same common name.
- of southwestern Europe; cultivated in Florida
- mat-forming perennial found in cold springs of the eastern United States