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Watercress

Nasturtium officinale

Found in streams, springs, seepages. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Northern Tier edition What its natural habitat tells you

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Severe harm

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

Profile 71%

Height
4–15 inches
Light
Partial shade, Full sun
Soil moisture
Moist to standing water

Do not plant. Listed invasive in West Virginia.

At a glance

Life cycle
Perennial
Bloom
April to July

Not yet recorded · Spread · Leaves

Recorded in 6 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

Streams, rivers and their banks

Flowing water and its banks, bars and rocky shoals.

Seeps and springs

Places where groundwater keeps the soil or rock wet, such as seepage slopes and spring runs.

All habitats

Also found with this plant

Wildlife whose habitat models include habitats this plant grows in, in West Virginia. Shared habitat, not food. 33 animals.

Widespread birds also seen here (26)

Found in many habitats here, so not listed above.

All wildlife of West Virginia

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

4CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including WV

Genus host records with ranges including WV · Nasturtium

  • Chrysodeixis includensSoybean Looper Moth
  • Elophila obliteralisWaterlily Leafcutter Moth
  • Pontia protodiceCheckered White
  • Trichoplusia niNi Moth, Cabbage Looper Moth
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

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

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Rorippa nasturtium aquaticum; Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum; Water Cress; yellowcress

Conservation status

West Virginia rankSNA
Global rankGNR
WV statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Native alternatives

Find natives for your garden

Sources