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cut-leaved toothwort

Cardamine concatenata

Cut-leaved toothwort is a pretty little plant with delicate white flowers. It grows in shady places and is often found in forests during springtime.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The cut-leaved toothwort has a slender stem topped with clusters of delicate, four-petaled white to pale pink flowers. Its most distinguishing feature is its deeply lobed, almost finger-like, green leaves that emerge early in spring, giving it a unique textured appearance.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderBrassicalesFamilyBrassicaceaeGenusCardamine
cut-leaved toothwort
aromatic trait badgedeciduous trait badgeflowering trait badgeshade_tolerant trait badge
cut-leaved toothwort

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Ants act like gardeners, carrying its tiny seeds to plant new ones!

Its roots are like peppery mini-carrots, once eaten for a spicy zing!

This plant is a 'spring ephemeral,' meaning it pops up then vanishes fast.

You can sometimes spot a rare pink version among the common white flowers!

Special abilities

Ability

Spring Sprint

The cut-leaved toothwort can complete its entire life cycle quickly in early spring, helping it thrive before forest trees leaf out.

Ability

Underground Power

It has thick, toothed rhizomes that store energy, which helps it sprout quickly and survive the hot summer dormancy.

Ability

Ant Gardener Ally

Its seeds possess a fatty treat called an elaiosome, which attracts ants to carry and disperse them to new spots.

Measurements & details

Height
15-40 cm
Spread
10-20 cm
Flower Size
1-1.5 cm
Bloom Season
Early spring
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Carlin's mining bee

Andrena carlini

An early spring bee that visits its flowers for nectar.

pollinates

common eastern bumblebee

Bombus impatiens

This native bumblebee helps spread its pollen.

eaten by

white-tailed deer

Odocoileus virginianus

Deer browse its tender young leaves in early spring.

depends on

black woodland ant

Aphaenogaster picea

Ants carry its seeds, helping to disperse them to new locations.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch wild plants unless a grown-up says it's okay.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is cut-leaved toothwort?

15-40 cm

How wide does cut-leaved toothwort spread?

10-20 cm

How big are the flowers on cut-leaved toothwort?

1-1.5 cm

When does cut-leaved toothwort bloom?

Early spring

Is cut-leaved toothwort edible?

Yes

Is cut-leaved toothwort toxic?

None

What is cut-leaved toothwort's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is cut-leaved toothwort pollinated?

Insect

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Where to spot

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