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Horseradish

©Dave Riseborough

Horseradish

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Scientific name: Armoracia rusticana
Horseradish is used as a well-loved condiment. This member of the cabbage family is actually an introduced species in the UK, but causes no harm in the wild.

Top facts

Stats

Height: up to 70cm

Conservation status

Introduced, but naturalised species.

When to see

January to December

About

Horseradish is a common perennial of waste ground, railway cuttings and roadside verges mainly in England. Arriving here from western Asia sometime before the 16th century, the use of prepared Horseradish roots as a condiment for meat quickly became popular. But the preparation of Horseradish is pretty hard-going - the pungent roots can cause tears worse than those from chopping an onion! Today, commercial production is widespread.

What to look for

A bushy, lettuce-like plant, Horseradish has long, crinkled, oval leaves and tiny, white flowers that appear in clusters on the long stem.

Where to find

Mostly found in England.

Habitats

Did you know?

As a member of the Brassica family (cabbages), it's no surprise that Horseradish has been cultivated for thousands of years - there is evidence that the both Ancient Greeks and Egyptians used it, and its leaves provided a popular herbal remedy in the Middle Ages.