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Cardamine pattersonii

Cardamine pattersonii, commonly known as Saddle Mountain bittercress, is a flowering plant endemic to a specific region of Oregon.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Cardamine pattersonii L.F. Hend.
• Common Name: Saddle Mountain bittercress
• Family: Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)
• Genus: Cardamine
• Taxonomic Rank: Species
• Synonyms: None explicitly stated, but note that L.F. Hend. is part of the scientific name.

Distribution and Habitat

• Cardamine pattersonii is primarily found at Saddle Mountain State Park in the northern Oregon Coast Range.
• It thrives on steep gravelly and rocky slopes within this region.
• Saddle Mountain itself is one of the highest peaks in Oregon's Coast Range.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Cardamine pattersonii is a forb/herb, meaning it's a non-woody plant that isn't a grass.
• It can be an annual, biennial, or perennial plant.
• It can grow to a large size, reaching 2 meters in height.
• The flowers are noted to have four pink petals, resembling a mustard flower.
• It is not an evergreen, meaning it loses its foliage seasonally.

Ecological Role

• Cardamine pattersonii is considered a rare crucifer.
• It's an endemic species, meaning it's found almost exclusively in the Saddle Mountain area and is an ecologically isolated rise.
• The summit where it grows is an unglaciated summit and a registered Oregon National Heritage site.

Quirky Facts

• Saddle Mountain bittercress, along with Saddle Mountain saxifrage, are believed to be remnants from the last Ice Age.

Further Information

• USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
• British Database of World Flora and Fauna.
• BISON Web Link: http://bison.usgs.ornl.gov/api/scientificName/Cardamine%20pattersonii
• ITIS Web Link.
• Discover Life: Page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification and distribution.
• NatureServe Profile: natureserve.org
• Flickr Photos: flickr.com