horseradish, Armoracia rusticana

Following through from the horseradish tree of two days ago, here's the real deal. This Eurasian has been used through history for food and medicine. The root is pretty tasteless until it is peeled and ground up. It then releases enzymes that create the popular flavor. What would shrimp be without horseradish? This is now the source of most wasabi, since that original plant has become scarce. Horseradish now has spread around our habitats, most often in floodplains and shores. It has been reported from CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, UT, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY, AB, BC, MB, NB, NS, ON, PE, QC, and SK. Lenawee Co MI, 5/20/13.