MUSTARD FAMILY 



Toothwort and Bitter Cress, Denthria and Carddmine, are 

 native genera of very attractive little plants blooming in early 

 spring and would undoubtedly have their representatives in the 

 garden were these not so abundant in the fields. They are allied 

 to the Cuckoo Flower and the Lady-smocks of English fields 

 and English literature. The plants repay cultivation. 



Common Water Cress, Nasturtium officinale, the well-known 

 garnishing and salad plant is a hardy aquatic perennial which 

 grows in pure running water and has a dehghtful peppery taste. 



I linger round my shingly bars, 

 I loiter round my cresses. 



— " The Brook."— Tennyson. 



The stems are spreading and take root at the lower nodes. The 

 leaves are pinnate; leaflets three to eleven, roundish or oblong. 

 Flowers are small white crucifers, rather abundant, appearing in 

 June. It is interesting to note that the Latin name of this plant 

 has become the English name of Tropceolum. - 



Horseradish, Nasturtium armortcia, is a hardy perennial whose 

 grated roots so often appear upon our dining-ta,bles. Naturalized 

 from Europe and found growing in moist situations, it is reported 

 from New York State as a troublesome weed. 



The root is perennial, fleshy, whitish externally, pure-white 

 within, cylindrical, and when bruised emits a volatile oil of strong 

 pungent odor and hot, biting taste, which gives the plant its 

 antiscorbutic value. The root-leaves are very large, coarse, 

 oblong, crenate, more or less heart-shaped; those of the stem 

 lanceolate. The flowers are white crucifers, about half an inch 

 across, borne on an ascending, terminar raceme.^ The silique is 

 globular, but the plant seldom fruits in this country. 



The Herb of St. Barbara, or Winter Cress, Barharka vulgaris, 

 sometimes called Yellow Rocket, is the tufted mustard, whose 

 blossoms brighten the moist places of meadows and the banks of 

 neglected runlets in early May. For nearly a month a golden 

 glow is diffused about the place where this plant abides. A single 

 root crown will produce perhaps, a dozen sturdy stems a foot high, 



