Swine Wartcress
Coronopus didymus
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Pl. 8A5E — Coronopus didymus
Coronopus didymusCoronopus didymusCoronopus didymusCoronopus didymusCoronopus didymusCoronopus didymusCoronopus didymusCoronopus didymusCoronopus didymusCoronopus didymusCoronopus didymusCoronopus didymusCoronopus didymusCoronopus didymus
IOverview
Overview
Swine Wartcress (Coronopus didymus) is a hardy annual or biennial herb found across much of South America, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay. It thrives in moist environments with light to heavy soil types, particularly preferring sandy, medium, or clay soils with a pH between 6.5 and 7. Known for its edible leaves, this plant is often used in local cuisine. One distinctive feature of Swine Wartcress is its compact habit, reaching heights of about 0.3 meters, making it an attractive addition to gardens or natural landscapes where it can be observed growing freely.
Quick answers
What is Swine Wartcress?
Swine Wartcress (Coronopus didymus) is a hardy annual or biennial herb found across much of South America, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay. It thrives in moist environments with light to heavy soil types, particularly preferring sandy, medium, or clay soils with a pH between 6.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Swine Wartcress thrives in moist conditions and prefers light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soils with a pH between 6.5 and 7. It is an annual or biennial forb/herb that grows to about 0.3 meters tall. This plant requires ample sunlight but can tolerate various soil types, making it adaptable for different garden settings. For best results, keep the soil consistently moist. Propagate Swine Wartcress through seeds, as it is commonly grown from this method. Given its native range in temperate regions of South America, it should be hardy in similar climates. Harvest the edible leaves throughout the growing season.
Light
9/10
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Life cycle
Annual, Biennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.3 m tall
Soil pH
6.5–7
For first-time growers
How to grow Swine Wartcress for the first time
8steps
Swine Wartcress is a low-maintenance plant that's perfect for beginners looking to try their hand at gardening.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or seedlings, a small pot or garden bed, and basic gardening tools like a trowel.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant Swine Wartcress in spring when the soil has warmed up.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Ensure your soil is well-draining with a pH between 6.5 and 7, and prepare containers or garden beds accordingly.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds in the ground or start them indoors and transplant when they have two sets of true leaves.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the soil consistently moist during this period to help the plant establish itself.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly, especially if it's dry, and mulch around the base to retain moisture. Keep an eye out for pests.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune back any leggy growth to encourage bushier foliage and remove spent flowers to promote more blooms.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy clay soil, neglecting to prune, and not providing enough sunlight.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: The Swine Wartcress is eaten for its leaves, which can be consumed raw or cooked. Typically, the leaves are prepared fresh in salads or lightly steamed as a green vegetable. They add a mild flavor to dishes and are often used in small quantities due to their tender nature.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
14 native · 16 introduced
Distribution
14 native · 16 introducedDistribution across4 continents· 14 native· 16 introduced
Europe2 regions
introduced (2)PortugalSpain
Asia2 regions
introduced (2)BangladeshChina
Americas5 regions
native (4)BoliviaParaguayPeruUruguay
introduced (1)Bahamas
Africa1 region
introduced (1)Cabo Verde
Broader regions
native:Argentina South, Chile Central, Brazil South, Chile South, Argentina Northwest, Brazil Southeast, Argentina Northeast, Falkland Is., Brazil Northeast, Chile North
introduced:Arkansas, Arizona, Cape Provinces, California, Alabama, British Columbia, Bermuda
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
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Companion planting
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 8a5e1b07-c848-4b30-a9a4-80a4f67702d5
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