Barbarea (winter cress or yellow rocket) is a genus of about 22 species of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae, native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with the highest species diversity in southern Europe and southwest Asia. They are small herbaceous biennial or perennial plants with dark green, deeply lobed leaves and yellow flowers with four petals. Selected species Barbarea australis Barbarea balcana Barbarea bosniaca Barbarea bracteosa Barbarea conferta Barbarea hongii Barbarea intermedia Barbarea lepuznica Barbarea longirostris Barbarea orthoceras Barbarea rupicola Barbarea sicula Barbarea stricta Barbarea taiwaniana Barbarea verna Barbarea vulgaris Uses They grow quickly into dandelion-like rosettes of edible, cress-like foliage. Barbarea verna, also known as upland cress, early winter cress, American cress, Belle Isle cress and scurvy grass, is used in salads or to add a nippy taste to mixed greens for cooking. Chemical compounds Winter cress contains different glucosinolates, flavonoids and saponins. See also Rocket (arugula) References External links Flora Europaea: Barbarea Flora of China: Barbarea Brassicaceae genera Leaf vegetables