Explore Plants
Native Plant Database
Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia
Cardamine diphylla (Michx.) Wood
Crinkleroot, Two-leaved toothwort, Two-leaf toothwort
Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)
Synonyms: Dentaria diphylla
USDA Symbol: CADI10
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
An upright, 8-16 in. perennial with paired leaves, each dissected so deeply as to appear compound. The leaves are palmately cut into 3-5 sections. The basal leaves, when present, arise from a rhizome. A loose cluster of white or light pink, four-petaled blossoms occur at the end of a stem rising above the leaves.
This plant grows in woods but does not tolerate the deep shade cast by evergreen trees.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , PinkBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , GA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WVCanada: NB , NS , ON , PE
Native Distribution: N.S. to s. Ont. & WI, s. to SC & MS
Native Habitat: Rich, wooded slopes; alluvial woods
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part Shade , ShadeSoil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Humus-rich, acid soil.
Conditions Comments: A light, leafy wintercover is desireable. This plant does not tolerate the deep shade cast by evergreen trees.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: West Virginia White is a native butterfly species often mistaken for Cabbage White, an introduced species. Lays its eggs one by one on this plant and Dentaria laciniata, another toothwort.Attracts: Butterflies
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Cardamine diphylla is a larval host and/or nectar source for:|
West Virginia White (Pieris virginiensis)  Larval Host |
Propagation
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.
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes
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
Amandas Garden - Springwater, NY
American Native Nursery - Quakertown, PA
Bibliography
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 pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Cardamine diphylla in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Cardamine diphylla in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Cardamine diphylla
Metadata
Record Modified: 2012-10-03Research By: TWC Staff
