Family: Brassicaceae
limestone bitter-cress, purple spring-cress
[Cardamine bulbosa var. purpurea "(Schreb. ex Muhl.) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb.", more...]
Kenneth J. Sytsma
Etymology: Cardamine: originally from the Greek kardamon used by Dioscorides for some cress, maybe used in treating heart ailments
Plants: erect, annual/perennial, to 20" tall forb; superficial rhizomes with no narrow sections
Leaves: basal leaves often purplish beneath, usually the 3-5 stem leaves widely-toothed and stalkless, all undivided
Flowers: pink to purple, 4-parted, 1/2"- 1" wide; inflorescence a loose cluster (raceme) of long-stalked, drooping flowers; blooms April-June
Fruits: long, thin, erect pods
Habitat: moist; woods; in rich soil
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, annual/perennial, to 20" tall forb; superficial rhizomes with no narrow sections
Leaves: basal leaves often purplish beneath, usually the 3-5 stem leaves widely-toothed and stalkless, all undivided
Flowers: pink to purple, 4-parted, 1/2"- 1" wide; inflorescence a loose cluster (raceme) of long-stalked, drooping flowers; blooms April-June
Fruits: long, thin, erect pods
Habitat: moist; woods; in rich soil
Conservation Status: Native
Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 7, Wetland Indicator = FACW USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos
Kenneth J. Sytsma
Christopher Noll
Robert Bierman
Kitty Kohout
