Armoracia rusticana G. Gaertn., B. Mey. & Scherb.
common horseradish (horseradish)
Brassicaceae (Mustard family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Jamie Fenneman     (Photo ID #20471)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Armoracia rusticana
Click here to view the full interactive map and legend

Species Information

General:
Perennial herb from a deep, swollen, spongy root; stems often branched, 0.6-2.0 m tall, glabrous.
Leaves:
Basal leaves long-stalked, 30-50 cm long, widely egg-shaped to oblong, toothed; stem leaves stalked and unstalked; lower stem leaves like basal ones, middle and upper stem leaves often lobed.
Flowers:
Inflorescence a flat-topped cluster; petals white, short-clawed, 5-7 mm long.
Fruits:
Silicles, about 3 mm wide, flattened perpendicular to the partitions, styles about 0.3 mm long; seeds 4-6 per chamber.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Illustration

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Ecology

Ecological Framework for Armoracia rusticana

The table below shows the species-specific information calculated from
original data (BEC database) provided by the BC Ministry of Forests and Range.
(Updated August, 2013)

Site Information
Value / Class

Avg

Min

Max

Elevation (metres)
1125 1110 1140
Slope Gradient (%)
2 0 5

Aspect (degrees)
[0 - N; 90 - E; 180 - S; 270 - W]

239 240 240
Soil Moisture Regime (SMR)
[0 - very xeric; 4 - mesic;
8 - hydric]
6 6 6
Modal Nutrient Regime
Class
D
# of field plots
 species was recorded in:
2
Modal BEC Zone Class
SBS

All BEC Zones (# of stations/zone) species was recorded in

SBS(2)

Habitat and Range

Moist ditches and disturbed areas in the lowland, steppe and montane zones; rare garden escape in S BC; introduced from Eurasia.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Synonyms

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Armoracia armoracia (L.) Britt.
Armoracia lapathifolia
Cochlearia armoracia L.
Nasturtium armoracia (L.) Fries
Radicula armoracia (L.) B.L. Robins.
Rorippa armoracia (L.) A.S. Hitchc.