Eutrema yunnanense Seeds | Yunnan Horseradish
LATIN NAME: Eutrema yunnanense
COMMON NAME: Yunnan Horseradish
Plant Profile
Yunnan Horseradish (Eutrema yunnanense) is a perennial in the mustard family, native to cool, moist places of the south-western China, while it is treasured for its long history of use as a fine, sharp-flavoured green. In mustard family it is heart-leaved, sharp-tasting green of south-western mountains, a plant that brings a peppery bite to table of the region. Established plants reach around Sixty centimetres. When it flowers, local bees and other insects make good use of it. Plants that offer this much while asking this little are rare enough to treasure.
Science & Biotechnology
The species features in the wider study of the mustard family, and its traits make it a useful subject for work on germination biology, cultivation and ornamental selection. The Yunnan horseradish appears in food-plant papers of south-western mountains, where young, heart-shaped leaves are studied for their fine, sharp, peppery ways. Its behaviour in gardens is well recorded, thanks to a long history in cultivation.
Uses & Benefits
Gardeners value Yunnan Horseradish for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. In cool, moist garden, the Yunnan horseradish is heart-leaved green of shaded border. Its white, four-petalled flowers feed bees, and leafy growth gives border a fine, soft presence. Young, peppery leaves have been gathered and used in fine cooking of region, and plant grows well in rich, moist, well-drained ground of cool, sheltered spot. Once settled, it thrives on neglect more than on fussing.
Wasabi’s genus gives the true wasabi of Japanese streams and its mountain kin: fresh rhizomes carry the isothiocyanates studied for antimicrobial effects, and genuine wasabi is a rare culinary treasure.
Growing from Seed
Raising Yunnan Horseradish from seed is straightforward. Sow the seeds evenly over the surface and cover lightly in a loose, well-drained seed compost, keep the sowing evenly moist, and give the pot or tray bright light. Move strong seedlings into individual pots, keep them in good light, and set them out when the weather and their size agree.
Our Take
At around sixty centimetres, it stays at a scale that suits modest gardens. Plant it in sun with drainage to its liking and the rest is easy.
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