Chinese cress, also known as water spinach, is a fast-growing vine with substantial vitamin A and iron content. It is an invasive weed in some countries, including the United States, and is used in various dishes.
Chinese cress is a name for Ipomoea aquatica, also known as water spinach, marsh kale, bok choy, morning glory, and many other names. This is a fast-growing flowering vine that covers the surface of water bodies. Chinese watercress is a cultivated food known to have substantial vitamin A and iron content in Asia and other parts of the world, including South America. It is also used for animal and fish feed. Chinese watercress is not the same as the watercress sold in the markets of countries such as the United States, which is a member of the genus Nasturtium. Ipomoea aquatica is related to sweet potatoes and is part of the family Convolvulaceae, or morning glory.
The vines and leaves of Ipomoea aquatica are green and the flowers are white with purple centers. The stems are hollow, so the vines float on water. Rapid growth of nearly 4 inches per day allows the plant to choke out water bodies, making it difficult for any other life to survive due to lack of light and competition for food and space. The total length of the plant can be almost 4 meters.
While many countries are able to control and grow the vegetable, it has become an invasive weed in other countries such as the United States. In fact, it is illegal in some regions to sell the plant for fear it will leak and contaminate local waters. Other areas require government permits to grow the plant.
A warm, humid climate is essential for plant growth, so it’s not a problem in more northern areas. Those areas further south, however, such as the United States
state of Florida, they have had to battle the plant which gets up repeatedly and is difficult to control. Its dense growth favors conditions in which mosquitoes can breed, creating a secondary threat.
The edible parts of watercress include leaves, shoots, and stems. The different dishes that use Chinese watercress range from African salads, porridge and stew to Asian stir-fries mixed with other vegetables, noodles or just garlic and soy sauce. Chinese watercress is edible when raw, although some parts of the stem may ooze white sap.
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