Crinkleroot

Dentaria diphylla

Physical Characteristics

Dentaria diphylla is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Eastern N. America - Ontario to S. Carolina, Kentucky and Minnesota.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Root Edible Uses: Root - raw or cooked[46, 61, 161]. It has a crisp texture and a pleasant pungent taste[43], rather like water cress or horseradish[183]. It can be added to salads or used as a relish[105, 183]. The root has a pungent acrid taste when first harvested, the Indians cleaned the roots, heaped them on a blanket, covered them to exclude air and then left them to ferment for 4 - 5 days. After this the roots developed a sweet taste[207]. Leaves - raw or cooked[257]. The cooking water was changed once in order to remove the bitterness[257].

Medicinal Uses

Cardiac Carminative Febrifuge Miscellany Odontalgic Stomachic The peppery root is used as a folk remedy in the treatment of toothache[222]. It has also been chewed in the treatment of colds, an infusion drunk to treat gas and other stomach problems, and it has been made into a poultice for headaches[222, 257]. A tea made from the root is gargled in the treatment of sore throat, hoarseness etc[222, 257]. An infusion of the plant has been used to treat fevers in children[257]. Combined with Acorus calamus root, it has been used in the treatment of heart diseases[257].

Known Hazards

None known