Bittercress

Cardamine pennsylvanica

Basic Information

Family: Brassicaceae or Cruciferae

Genus: cardamine

Plant ID (slug): cardamine-pennsylvanica

Numeric ID: 24826

USDA Hardiness: 4-8

Ratings

Physical Characteristics

Cardamine pennsylvanica is a BIENNIAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from April to August, and the seeds ripen from May to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Distribution

N. America - Newfoundland to Minnesota and Montana, south to Florida, Tennessee and Kansas.

Habitats

Bog Garden; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: Condiment Leaves - raw or cooked[46, 61, 159, 171]. An excellent water cress substitute[105]. A slightly bitter flavour, but not disagreeable[207]. The grated raw root is used as a condiment[207].

Medicinal Uses

Carminative Digestive The leaves and the flowering plant are carminative and digestive[172].