Watercress

Watercress is an aquatic plant species with the botanical name Nasturtium officinale. Watercress is a rapidly growing, aquatic or semi-aquatic, perennial plant native to Europe and Asia and one of the oldest known leaf vegetables consumed by humans. The hollow stems of watercress are floating and the leaves are pinnately compound. Small, white and green flowers are produced in clusters.

In some regions, watercress is regarded as a weed, in other regions as an aquatic vegetable or herb. Watercress has been grown in many locations around the world. Watercress contains significant amounts of iron, calcium, iodine, manganese and folic acid. Because it is relatively rich in vitamin C, watercress was suggested by English military surgeon John Woodall (1570-1643) as a remedy for scurvy.