Invasion of the Hairy Bittercress

Donna Green, OSU ExtensionFamily and Consumer Sciences Educator My yard and my neighbor's yard are seeing an abundance of hairy bittercress this spring. Bittercress prefers cool, moist soil and is very prolific after spring rains. It looks like a cluster of small, heart-shaped leaves at the base of the plant, with stems topped by white flowers coming out of the center.Those tiny white flowers turn into long seed pods that eventually split open and fling seeds into the environment. That barrage of seeds means that just one or two weeds can spread quickly throughout the garden in spring. It also explains why two of its nicknames are "shot weed" and "flick weed." Control of this weed needs to start early to protect the rest of the landscape from an infestation.The first flowers appear in spring, quickly form seed pods, and mature. As soon as new plants appear, start pulling them. Unfortunately, yanking them out manually is only temporarily effective. Mowing will achieve control over time. Do it frequently enough that you remove the flower heads before they become seed pods.According to Michigan State University Extension, hairy bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta) is an annual weed that often makes its way into landscapes as a "gift with purchase." What that means is a few seeds of bittercress tucked into a container-grown plant may eventually multiply into hundreds of weeds in your yard.Since hairy bittercress is a big problem in greenhouses and nurseries, clear off the top inch or so of soil before planting the flowers and veggies you recently purchased. Scoop the soil into a plastic bag and discard. Keep a close watch on newly planted containers, especially those that are positioned near flower beds.Health BenefitsSome of the weeds that grow in our yards can be used as healthy edibles. Dandelion greens and hairy bittercress are two examples. Hairy bittercress does not taste hairy or bitter, but does add a peppery flavor that tastes good in egg salad or a tossed salad. It is rich in Vitamins A and C and contains calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. Chop up the leaves, rinse, and add to your foods.Hairy bittercress is a member of the Brassicaceae, or cruciferous, family (along with collard greens, cabbage, and broccoli). It's good to include some of these plant "medicines" into your diet, as studies have shown that an increased intake of cruciferous vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of prostate, colon, lung, and breast cancer.As well, research studies show that wild plants generally contain higher levels of nutritional and medicinal compounds than cultivated plants.