Cardamine heptaphylla

(Vill.) O. E. Schulz.

Brassicaceae Edible: Flowers, Leaves 2,280 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Source: Wikipedia

Cardamine heptaphylla, common name pinnate coralroot, is a species of flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae.

Description

A perennial reaching 0.4 m tall and spreading 0.6 m wide with hermaphroditic flowers blooming April to May. Pollinated by bees, flies, moths, and butterflies; self-fertile. Accommodates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils across mildly acidic to mildly alkaline pH ranges. Grows in semi-shade or full sun, preferring moist or wet soil.

Edible Uses

The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, offering a fairly mild cabbage-like flavour with a hint of radish that is not particularly hot when raw and likely improves with cooking. The flowers are eaten raw and share a similar cabbage-and-radish character, though their flavour is somewhat more pleasant than that of the leaves.

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

Europe, Slovenia,

Propagation

Sow seed in spring in a cold frame; germination typically occurs within 1–3 weeks at 15°C. Once large enough to handle, prick seedlings into individual pots and grow on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame for the first two years, planting out when dormant in late summer. Divide in early spring or after the plant dies back in summer. Large clumps can go straight into permanent positions, while smaller clumps are better potted and grown on in a cold frame before planting out in spring.