Cutleaf Toothwort (Cardamine concatenata) is a spring-blooming wildflower native to eastern North America. It belongs to the mustard family (Brassicaceae) and is known for its delicate, early blooms and distinctive cutleaf foliage.
🌿 Overview
Scientific name: Cardamine concatenata
Common names: Cutleaf toothwort, five-parted toothwort
Family: Brassicaceae (mustard family)
Native range: Eastern and central U.S., into parts of Canada
Habitat: Rich deciduous woodlands, moist forest floors
🌸 Description
Height: 6–12 inches (15–30 cm)
Flowers:
Pale pink to white
Four petals, about ½ inch across
Blooms in early to mid-spring (March–May)
Leaves:
Deeply divided (cutleaf) into narrow lobes
Arranged in a whorl around the stem
Roots: Rhizomatous with jointed, tooth-like segments—hence the name toothwort
🐝 Ecological Role
Early nectar source for bees and butterflies
Host plant for Falcate Orangetip butterfly larvae (Anthocharis midea)
🌱 Growing Tips
Light: Partial to full shade
Soil: Moist, rich, well-drained soils with organic matter
Propagation: Best by rhizome division in fall or by seed
Maintenance: Low—dies back after flowering and goes dormant in summer
🔎 Comparison
Cardamine concatenata was previously grouped with other Dentaria species but is now distinguished as a separate species within Cardamine. It can be confused with:
Cardamine bulbosa
Cardamine bulbosa (Spring cress) Prefers wetter habitats and has broader leaves
Cardamine diphylla (Two-leaved toothwort) Leaves less deeply cut, more rounded
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