Land cress is often confused with true watercress because of the name and peppery flavour, but it's a different genus entirely and won't cross with it -- the real crossing risk is wild yellow rocket, a common roadside weed in the same genus.
New to terms like isolation distance or outcrossing? See the Seed-Saving Glossary.
Seed-Saving Difficulty
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Moderate Difficulty
Moderate crossing risk.
How It's Pollinated
Insect-pollinated
(Moderate crossing risk)
Scientific name: Barbarea verna
Domestic Crops It Can Cross With
- Other land cress varieties flowering at the same time
- Does not cross with true watercress or with cabbage/kale-family brassicas -- different genera despite the shared plant family
Wild Relatives & Feral Species
- Wild Barbarea species (yellow rocket / wintercress) are common weeds and can cross where present
Separation Distances Required
Minimum: 200m between varieties
Recommended: 400m for reliable purity
Strict: Bag flower heads for guaranteed purity
Seed-Saving Strategies
- Biennial in most climates -- overwinter plants or lift and replant
- Allow seed pods to dry brown on the plant
- Harvest before pods split, then thresh
- Store dry -- viable 3-4 years