Barbarea verna (Mill.) Asch.

[Saroj Kasaju]

Dear Members,

Location: Gyaneswor, Kathmandu, Nepal

Date: 23 April, 2026

Altitude: 1400 m.

Habitat : Cultivated

Thank you.

Saroj Kasaju

[Saroj Kasaju]

Thank you.

Saroj Kasaju

[Saroj Kasaju]

[Saroj Kasaju]

[Saroj Kasaju]

Thank you.

Saroj Kasaju

[Saroj Kasaju]

Thank you.

Saroj Kasaju

[Saroj Kasaju]

[Saroj Kasaju]

[Saroj Kasaju]

Thank you.

Saroj Kasaju

[J.M. Garg]

Why not Barbarea intermedia ?

--

With regards,
J.M.Garg, 
https://efloraofindia.com/

[Saroj Kasaju]

No idea Mr. Garg.

Thank you.

Saroj Kasaju

[J.M. Garg]

Google AI search gives the following:
Barbarea intermedia (Medium-flowered winter-cress) and Barbarea verna (Early winter-cress / American cress) are closely related biennial herbs in the mustard family (Brassicaceae). While both are grown for their edible, peppery leaves, they differ distinctly in their flower size, leaf structure, and seed pods. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Key Differences

Feature [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]	Barbarea intermedia	Barbarea verna
Common Name	Medium-flowered Winter-cress	American cress, Land cress, Early winter-cress
Petal Size	4–6 mm long	6–9 mm long
Basal Leaves	4–7 pairs of lateral lobes; narrower terminal lobe	More numerous, rounded lobes (looks more like dandelion)
Upper Leaves	Pinnately lobed deeply (more than halfway to the midrib)	Simple, toothed, or lobed less than halfway to the midrib
Seed Pods (Siliquas)	Shorter (1.5–3.5 cm), pressed close to the stem	Longer (3.5–7 cm), curved upwards and held away from the stem
Style Length	Stout, 0.6–2 mm long	Thin, 2–3.5 mm long

Overview of Each Species

• Barbarea intermedia: Native to Europe and North Africa, this plant generally features smaller blossoms and is characterized by deeply divided upper bracts. It is primarily foraged or utilized in localized botanical settings. [1, 2, 3]
• Barbarea verna: Highly valued as an herb, American cress is used in salads and cooked greens. It has larger flowers, a more sprawling growth habit, and significantly longer, curved seed pods compared to its cousin. [1, 2, 3]

Now you can decide based on these.

[J.M. Garg]

Google AI search on 'Barbarea verna + Nepal' says:
Barbarea verna (often called land cress or American cress) is a cool-season biennial leafy green. In Nepal, this specific variety is generally not wild, but its close relative Barbarea intermedia (Medium Winter-cress) is native and well-documented as Khole Sag

[Saroj Kasaju]

EFN says elevation range  3000 m. above.

And Nepal Plant database herbarium has all sps. above 3000m.

 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=http://plantdatabase.kath.gov.np/&ved=2ahUKEwjV8bz0yJqVAxWScGwGHcVlMt4QFnoECBgQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2cBsgOeD9XJYsTS2ddAYqD

Thank you.

Saroj Kasaju

[J.M. Garg]

But it was cultivated. 

[Saroj Kasaju]

I guess it was mixed up with other seeds from the UK which I have brought, and the elevation looks matching.

Thank you.

Saroj Kasaju