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Smith, R.W.

Cardamine cordifolia

Cardamine cordifolia A. Gray

Heartleaf Bittercress

Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: CACO6

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

Several or many leafy stems with white flowers grow from an extensive system of underground runners.

Some plants in this family were reputed to have medicinal qualities that were used in the treatment of heart ailments. Among the several species in the West, most have pinnately parted or lobed leaves.

From the Image Gallery

24 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Silique
Size Notes: Up to about 30 inches tall.
Leaf: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , CO , ID , NM , NV , OR , UT , WA , WY
Native Distribution: British Columbia; south to northern California; east to New Mexico, Wyoming and Idaho.
Native Habitat: Along mountain stream banks, in streams and alpine meadows.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Shade
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:			FACW			OBL				FACW

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-03-13
Research By: TWC Staff

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