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Horseradish

Armoracia rusticana

Found in roadsides, fields and disturbed ground; streams, rivers and their banks. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Northern Tier edition What its natural habitat tells you

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Not native

Not native to West Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 82%

Height
2–5 feet
Spread
2.5–4 feet
Light
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture
Usually moist
See native alternatives

Plant this instead

Choose your county to list local plants first.

  • False Solomon's-seal
    Maianthemum racemosum

    Sun: Dappled sunlight, Deep shade, Partial shade. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: White.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

  • Carolina Tassel-rue
    Trautvetteria caroliniensis

    Sun: Partial shade, Full shade, Full sun. Soil: Dry to wet. Flowers: White.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

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At a glance

Life cycle
Perennial
Bloom
March to July

Not yet recorded · Leaves

Recorded in 2 West Virginia counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 2

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

Streams, rivers and their banks

Flowing water and its banks, bars and rocky shoals.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

5CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including WV

Genus host records with ranges including WV · Armoracia

  • Evergestis pallidataPurple-Backed Cabbageworm Moth
  • Evergestis unimaculaLarge-Spotted Evergestis
  • Feltia subgothicaSubgothic Dart
  • Lascoria ambigualisAmbiguous Moth, Ambiguous Litter Moth
  • Xanthorhoe ferrugataRed Twin-Spot, Twin-Spot Carpet
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim
Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Brassicaceae
Hardiness
Zones 4a–9b
Soil pH
Acidic to alkaline
Flower color
White

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Horse Radish

Conservation status

West Virginia rankSNA
Global rankGNR
WV statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Sources