Is this land cress?

[Silverleaf]

Found loads of this growing in the raised bed where I grew oriental greens and mixed salad stuff last year.

I have no idea where it came from but it's obviously been happily growing away all winter.

Maybe it was in one of my salad mixes and didn't germinate until after I pulled all the remaining plants up in the autumn?

Do you think it's land cress? I've never grown it or seen it in person before, but my google image search brought up some pictures that look very similar.

[Silverleaf]

[alkanet]

does it taste like anaesthetic?

[Silverleaf]

does it taste like anaesthetic?

I don't know, I was too scared to taste it in case it's something hideously poisonous! ;)

I did break a bit off and sniffed it, but it didn't smell of much other than "plant".

[ACE]

I expect it is  bittercress, a common weed that will grow anywhere, edible and supposed to taste like peppery rocket.

[Silverleaf]

I might be brave and nibble a bit...

[Silverleaf]

Nibbled. It tastes mustardy, with some bitterness.

And for scale, that plant's about 9" in diameter.

[galina]

Nibbled. It tastes mustardy, with some bitterness.

And for scale, that plant's about 9" in diameter.

looks like landcress to me.   

[saddad]

American Land Cress, we have loads, once you sow it, like poached egg plant it comes up year after year!
Good for soup!

[firstofficerspong]

I agree: American Land Cress. Peppery and hot. Very hardy. I found it hard to grow from seed, but once going it self-seeded like mad. (Until my allotment neighbour chopped the seed heads off one day in some sort of vigilante 'weed' action I think...)

[Silverleaf]

Thanks guys! It'll have to move because it's where the peas are going to go, but I guess if it's land cress I'll transplant it rather than throwing it on the compost heap. :)

[saddad]

It won't transplant well... with a large spade of soil you might get away with it... , it will tend to run to seed almost straight away... but at least your next crop will come up where you want it! 

[martinburo]

it's where the peas are going to go

It won't transplant well...

polyculture of peas and land cress?

[Silverleaf]

it's where the peas are going to go

It won't transplant well...

polyculture of peas and land cress?

If only I had room for that!

[plotstoeat]

Mine is looking the same. Any more uses as well as soup? Also any uses for wood sorrel?

[plotstoeat]

made land cress soup today; surprisingly delicious. Anyone want the recipe?

[Silverleaf]

made land cress soup today; surprisingly delicious. Anyone want the recipe?

Yes please! :)

Anyone know if there's a similar-looking but poisonous plant that I could accidentally end up eating if we're wrong about the ID?

[plotstoeat]

Here it is:

Land Cress Soup

Serves two

Bunch of land cress
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
0.5 litre strong vegetable stock
Herbs: I used thyme, parsley, sage and chives
White pepper
Nutmeg
Single cream

Just boil everything except cream, in a saucepan.
When potatoes soft, add cream and blend to smooth.
Add hot water if too thick

Bon appetit!

[Silverleaf]

Sounds lovely! How big is a bunch though?

[plotstoeat]

Sounds lovely! How big is a bunch though?

Just a handful; it's not critical as it reduces like spinach and taste is mild. :-)

[Silverleaf]

Sounds lovely! How big is a bunch though?

Just a handful; it's not critical as it reduces like spinach and taste is mild. :-)

Great, thanks!