Bittercresses and Toothworts
ExplorePlants
Bittercresses and Toothworts
Cardamine
Bittercresses and Toothworts are small plants that often grow in gardens and meadows. They have pretty flowers and are loved by many insects, making them a fun part of nature!
Habitat: Meadows and gardens
Appearance
The Bittercresses and Toothworts often have delicate clusters of small, white to pale pink or purple flowers, each typically with four petals. Their leaves vary, often forming a rosette at the base and sometimes lobed or toothed along the stem, presenting a low-growing profile.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderBrassicalesFamilyBrassicaceaeGenusCardamine
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
One species, the Cuckooflower, gets its name because it blooms when the cuckoo bird returns in spring!
Some types of toothwort grow their flowers directly from the ground before their leaves even appear!
The spicy taste of bittercress is similar to horseradish, which is in the same plant family!
They are a 'pioneer species,' often being the first plants to grow in newly disturbed ground!
Special abilities
Ability
Explosive Seeds
Bittercresses can launch their tiny seeds several feet away when their pods burst, helping them spread far and wide.
Ability
Rapid Growth
Many bittercress species grow and complete their life cycle incredibly fast, allowing them to quickly colonize new spaces.
Ability
Underground Strength
Some Toothworts have thick, tooth-like rhizomes underground, storing energy and helping them survive harsh conditions.
Ability
Peppery Power
Bittercresses contain compounds that give them a spicy, peppery taste, deterring some herbivores from eating them.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-60 cm
- Spread
- 10-30 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.2-1.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Early Spring to Summer
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
collects nectar and pollen
pollinates
Cabbage White Butterfly
Pieris rapae
visits flowers for nectar
eaten by
Spanish Slug
Arion vulgaris
feeds on leaves and stems
eaten by
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
browses on foliage
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Biennial
Biennial plants complete their life cycle over two growing seasons, typically forming foliage in the first year and flowering/seeding in the second.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
Spice
This human use trait indicates species from which spices are derived, used for flavoring, preserving food, or as aromatic agents.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Also known as
Toothwort
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always wash your hands after touching plants, and don't eat any plants without asking an adult.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Bittercresses and Toothworts?
10-60 cm
How wide does Bittercresses and Toothworts spread?
10-30 cm
How big are the flowers on Bittercresses and Toothworts?
0.2-1.5 cm
When does Bittercresses and Toothworts bloom?
Early Spring to Summer
Is Bittercresses and Toothworts edible?
Yes
Is Bittercresses and Toothworts toxic?
None
What is Bittercresses and Toothworts's lifecycle?
Annual
How is Bittercresses and Toothworts pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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