yellow cress

plant

Also known as: yellowcress

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Britannica Editors

History

yellow cress, (genus Rorippa), genus of some 85 species of plants in the mustard family (Brassicaceae). Most members of the genus are found in the Northern Hemisphere, especially in marshes and other moist habitats, and bear small four-petaled yellow or white flowers. Rorippa includes several species formerly of the genus Nasturtium.

The marsh cress, or bog yellow cress (R. palustris), is an annual plant that has naturalized in marshy areas throughout the world. Great yellow cress (R. amphibia) and creeping yellow cress (R. sylvestris) are invasive species in North America. Lakecress (R. aquatica) is a slow-growing perennial often used in aquariums.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.

yellow cress

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