Mustard Family Plants

Watercress

• Watercress is a hardy, leafy green perennial plant in the mustard family. It is most often found growing wild in wet soil and around or in fresh water sources. The plant can grow throughout the winter as long as it has a continuous fresh source of water. Watercress is edible and is used frequently for its spicy flavor in both soups and salads.

Wallflower

• This perennial of the mustard family is native to the Canary Islands, according to Texas A&M University Horticulture. It has found a suitable home in U.S. soil and now grows wild in most Southern to Midwestern states. Flowers of this plant are typically bright orange with a sweet fragrance, and typically arrive between April and May. Wallflower thrives in full sun with well-drained soil, although it can perform just as well in the shade if it is established.

Clasping Pepperweed

• Clasping pepperweed is an invasive species of the mustard family that originally hails from Europe but has taken root in the Western United States. The plant is an annual, which means it dies each winter, and appears most frequently in pastures, grain fields or sticking through the cracks in asphalt or pavement. Flowers from this plant are white or yellow and usually appear in the early spring months. As the name alludes, the plant has a peppery taste when ingested.

Sweet Rocket

• Sweet rocket is a plant in the mustard family characterized by violet flowers and a high tolerance for multiple soil types and environmental conditions. According to gardening website Dave's Garden, Sweet Rocket can thrive in temperatures as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant is also resistant to deer -- the animals will avoid the plant altogether -- making it a smart choice as a border plant for herb and flower gardens.