marsh cress

any cress belonging to the genus Rorippa, of the mustard family, esp. R. islandica, that grows in marshy areas in North America and Eurasia.

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▪ plant

also called  yellow cress 

      many of the 85 plant species of the genus Rorippa of the mustard family (Brassicaceae). Most members of the genus are found in the Northern Hemisphere. Rorippa includes the former genus Nasturtium. Iceland watercress, or marsh yellow cress (R. islandica, formerly N. palustre), grows, like others of the genus, in marshy ground. It bears small, four-petaled, yellow flowers in clusters at the top of the flowering spikes. Iceland watercress is annual, but greater yellow cress (R. amphibia) is perennial. The latter is often used in aquariums. Creeping yellow cress, or water rocket (R. sylvestris), is a perennial that grows from a rootstock.

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