Nasturtium officinale W.T.Aiton

Selada air or watercress (Nasturtium officinale) is an aquatic plant up to 50 cm long of the Brassicaceae family, native to Europe and Asia; the ancient Greeks and Romans even believed it was a brain-strengthening tonic. In Germany, this plant is used to treat urinary tract infections in children, while in various countries its leaves are eaten as a fresh salad. Watercress is also believed to be anti-inflammatory and act as a natural hair tonic.

Watercress is aquatic and semi-aquatic, growing trailing or spreading in water or shallow swamps at a pH of around 6.5-7.5 and requiring rainfall of around 1,000-2,300 mm/year. This plant can grow quickly in clean, slow-flowing water and in wet soil under somewhat shaded conditions.

• Roots anchoring and often producing roots at nodes.
• Stem green in color, has many branches, roots can grow at stem nodes.
• Leaves compound with 2-9 leaflets, wavy leaf edges, egg-shaped.
• Flowers white in color, small in size.
• Seeds dark red to brown in color.

Propagated by stem cuttings, taken 10-20 cm long. Planted at a location submerged in water.

Alkaloids, steroids/triterpenoids, hydroquinone phenols, free amino acids, isothiocyanates, polyphenols, terpenes, myristicin, alpha terpinolene, limonene, caryophyllene oxide, p-cymene.

Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, treats chest and kidney complaints, chronic irritation, skin inflammation, as a hair tonic.

Not yet available

Sayur paret (Sumatra), Salada cai (Sunda) and Kenci (Java).