Nasturtium species - Water-cress — BSBI VC77

Nasturtium species - Water-cress

This is widespread in streams in Lanarkshire. There are two species and a hybrid. The species can only be differentiated in the field when there mature fruits.

Nasturtium officinale has shorter thickers fruits with two rows of seeds.

Nasturtium microphyllum has longer thinner fruits with the seeds mainly in one row.

Nasturtium x. sterilis is the sterile hybrid and can be identified in the field as the flowers have much less pollen and the fruits are shorter, misshapen with few if any seeds.

Garden Nasturtium belongs to another family.

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Nasturtium officinale 25Jun2017 NS8569 MP

Nasturtium officinale 6July13 NS6156 PW

Nasturtium officinale 6July13 NS6156 PW

This shows the developing well formed capsules. Nasturtium officinalis s.s. NS7949 20Jul2020 MP

This shows a row of well-formed seeds on each side of the septum. Nasturtium officinalis s.s. NS7949 20Jul2020 PW

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Nasturtium microphyllum NS5954 04July2020 PW

Nasturtium microphyllum NS5954 04July2020 PW

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The plant can be quite bronzed. Early in the season, there is pollen, so it is not a hybrid, but without fruits it cannot be identified further. Nasturtium officinale agg NS5869 06June2015 PW

Nasturtium officinale 25Jun2017 NS8569 MP

Nasturtium officinale 6July13 NS6156 PW

Nasturtium officinale 6July13 NS6156 PW

This shows the developing well formed capsules.

Nasturtium officinalis s.s. NS7949 20Jul2020 MP

This shows a row of well-formed seeds on each side of the septum.

Nasturtium officinalis s.s. NS7949 20Jul2020 PW

Nasturtium microphyllum NS5954 04July2020 PW

Nasturtium microphyllum NS5954 04July2020 PW

The plant can be quite bronzed. Early in the season, there is pollen, so it is not a hybrid, but without fruits it cannot be identified further.

Nasturtium officinale agg NS5869 06June2015 PW