Varieties

A semiaquatic perennial, wasabi grows wild in wet, cool mountain river valleys, along streambeds, and on river sandbars in Japan. The pungent rhizomes grow up to 7 inches/18 centimeters long. The wild species is Wasabia tenuis. The cultivated species is W. japonica, and the two cultivars most commonly found in markets are Daruma and Mazuma.