SafePlants

Seaside Bittercress (Cardamine angulata)

Cardamine angulata, commonly known as seaside bittercress or angled bittercress, is a flowering plant belonging to the mustard family (Brassicaceae). This perennial herb is native to certain regions and has been observed in various habitats, including redwood forests and along trails.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Cardamine angulata Hook.
• Common Names: Seaside Bittercress, Angled Bittercress, Angle-leaf Bittercress, Angle-leaved Bittercress
• Family: Brassicaceae (Mustard family)
• Taxonomic Rank: Species
• Synonyms: None explicitly mentioned in the provided text.

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to specific regions, including California.
• Found in various habitats, including wetlands, redwood forests, and along trails (e.g., Hardy Ridge, Springwater Trail).

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Classified as a forb/herb, a non-woody plant that is not a grass.
• Perennial herb, meaning it lives for more than two years.

Ecological Role

• Listed as a California Rare Plant Rank 2.1: Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere.

Additional Information

• The plant experiences a period of vegetational rest, during which it requires less water.

Related Species

• Cardamine bellidifolia (Alpine Bittercress)
• Cardamine flexuosa (Wavy Bitter-cress)
• Cardamine hirsuta (Hairy Bitter-cress)
• Cardamine oligosperma (Little Western bittercress)
• Cardamine angustata (Slender Toothwort)
• Cardamine amara (Large Bitter-cress)
• Cardamine breweri (Sierran Bittercress)
• Cardamine africana
• Cardamine ampitorana

Further Information

• Discover Life offers a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Cardamine angulata.
• The California Native Plant Society provides information on its status as a rare plant.