Watercress

Nasturtium officinale

Illustration: Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) in a stream

Identification: Grows IN clean running water; pinnate glossy leaves with a peppery bite; small white 4-petaled flowers.

Dangerous look-alikes: Two cautions: only gather from clean cold running water (liver fluke risk in water grazed by livestock); and confirm the peppery taste + white flowers. Fool's watercress (Apium) is similar but lacks the bite — learn both.

Edible parts: Leaves and stems.

Season and habitat: Year-round where water runs. Springs, clean streams.

Preparation: Peppery salads, sandwiches, soups. Rinse thoroughly. If livestock graze upstream, cook it or skip it.