Horseradish Armoracia rusticana
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Cochlearia armoracia
- Phonetic Spelling
- ar-mor-AY-see-ah roo-stih-KAH-nah
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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This plant is a herbaceous perennial herb with a deep taproot. It is also grown as an annual and a vegetable. As a vegetable, it is grown for its fleshy roots that are harvested and grated to make relish and sauces.
Its vigorous growth habit will allow it to smother out other vegetation, including weeds. This is particularly true if the plant is not harvested each fall. Leaving roots in the ground in lieu of harvesting will promote growth in the off months.
Propagation can be done annually by removing the roots and storing them for planting the following year.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: It can be difficult to eliminate due to its deep taproot.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Herb & Flower Cottage Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Armoracia
- Species:
- rusticana
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- S. Ukraine to European Russia
- Edibility:
- Edible parts: roots, used as a condiment, but only in small amounts (do not eat large amounts of the roots as eating large amounts may result in poisonous symptoms); leaves, as expand in the spring, may be boiled in salted water until tender, then eaten with butter or margarine
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are small, white, and 4-parted.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are alternate, simple, and the margin is toothed.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Houseplants
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. (Poisonous through ingestion of more than small amount of ground root; Poisonous parts are roots). Symptoms may include: Profuse sweating, irritation of the stomach and intestines, loss of strength, disorientation.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Glucosinolates
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Roots
