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small-leaf bittercress
Scientific Name: Cardamine microphylla
Family: Brassicaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Cardamine (Bittercress)
Cardamine, commonly known as bittercress or bitter-cress, is a large genus of flowering plants. Several species and subspecies are referenced below.
Considerations for Pets and Children
- Several Cardamine species are small and may have small parts (e.g., small leaves, small flowers, slender seedpods).
- Some Cardamine species are commonly found in gardens and rocky areas, potentially increasing exposure for pets and children.
- Cardamine species are known for explosive seedpods that can eject seeds, which might be a surprising interaction for children and pets.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Genus: Cardamine
- Family: Brassicaceae (also known as Cruciferae)
- Cardamine concatenata (Cutleaf Toothwort, Small Mountain Bittercress)
- Cardamine parviflora (Small-flowered Bittercress, Sand Bittercress)
- Cardamine blaisdellii
- Cardamine microphylla (Small-leaf Bittercress, Littleleaf Bittercress)
- Cardamine microphylla subsp. microphylla
- Cardamine microphylla subsp. blaisdellii
- Cardamine hirsuta (Hairy Bittercress, Lamb's Cress, Land Cress, Spring Cress)
- Cardamine flexuosa (Wavy Bittercress)
- Cardamine impatiens (Narrowleaf Bittercress, Narrow-leaved Bittercress, Bushy Rock-cress)
- Cardamine cordifolia (Heartleaf Bittercress, Large Mountain Bittercress)
- Cardamine pensylvanica
Distribution and Habitat
- Hairy bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta) is found throughout the northern half and the southeastern United States, and in rocky areas, walls, and gardens.
Morphological Characteristics
- Cardamine species are herbs, sometimes annuals or biennials.
- They often grow from a central root, forming a rosette of leaves.
- Stems are mainly straight, with fewer stem leaves in some species.
- Flowers are typically small and white, with 4 petals, often blooming in a small bunch atop the stem. Flowers of Cardamine hirsuta (Hairy bittercress) are very small (2-3 mm) in diameter.
- Leaves can be simple or compound. Leaf shape varies. Upper leaves are often smaller than the lower basal leaves. Some species lack a rosette of leaves at the base.
- Narrowleaf bittercress (Cardamine impatiens) can grow to a maximum of 2 feet in height.
- Hairy bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta) is variable in size. Small hairs can be found at the base and on the top of the leaf.
Quirky Facts
- The text mentions that Cardamine hirsuta has "explosive seedpods".
- Some species have a cress-like smell if you crush the leaves.
- Bittercress leaves can be used to make a mustardy salad.