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Cardamine concatenata (Cutleaf toothwort)
Makin, Julie

Cardamine concatenata (Michx.) Sw.

Cutleaf toothwort, Pepper root

Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)

Synonyms: Dentaria laciniata

USDA Symbol: CACO26

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

This perennial’s 6-12 in. stem is topped in a cluster of small, four-petaled pink or white flowers. Terminal clusters of white or pink flowers on an erect stem with deeply cleft leaves. They stand above a whorl of leaves that are deeply divided and coarsely toothed.

This species was formerly known as Dentaria laciniata. Twoleaf Toothwort (C. diphylla, formerly Dentaria diphylla) has only two nearly opposite, deeply dissected stem leaves, each with three toothed lobes. Toothworts bloom in the spring; the common name refers to the tooth-like projections on the underground stems.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Size Notes: Normally 6 to 8 inches high, but can reach 15 inches.
Flower: Flowers 3/4 inch
Fruit: 1 inch
Size Class: 0-1 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Bloom Notes: Blooms before deciduous trees have leafed out. Flowers normally white tinged with pink or lavender.

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB , ON , QC
Native Distribution: Western Que. to MN & NE, s. to Gulf Coast states & e. KS
Native Habitat: Rich woods; wooded bottomlands; rocky banks & bluffs; limestone outcrops
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Soil Description: Rich, mesic to moist soils.
Conditions Comments: Tolerates seasonal flooding and limestone.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Contributes early spring color to the Southeastern woodland garden.
Use Wildlife: Consumed by White-footed Mouse.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Cardamine concatenata is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
West Virginia White
(Pieris virginiensis)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Propagation Material: Root Division , Seeds
Description: Can be easily multiplied by rootstock division when the plant is dormant. Be careful, as rhizomes are easily broken. Seeds should be sown on a moist, shaded seed bed immediately after collection. Expect the seedlings to flower in 3-4 years.
Seed Collection: A long, slender pod splits open 4-5 weeks after the bloom period. To catch the seeds, collect the pods when the seeds have turned dark brown and allow the pods to dry and split in a paper bag. Seeds lose viability quickly in storage.
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: A light, leafy winter cover is desirable.

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery - Orefield, PA
American Native Nursery - Quakertown, PA

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

Bibref 928 - 100 easy-to-grow native plants for Canadian gardens (2005) Johnson, L.; A. Leyerle
Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Bibref 996 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski, Sally and Andy Wasowski
* The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Cardamine concatenata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Cardamine concatenata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Cardamine concatenata

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-10-03
Research By: TWC Staff

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