Cardamine pennsylvanica
Muhl.
Bittercress
gbif· cc-by-nc
Nate Hartley
gbif· cc0
puppyy
gbif· cc-by-nc
Eric M Powell
Description
Cardamine pennsylvanica is a BIENNIAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from April to August, and the seeds ripen from May to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.
Edible Uses
Condiment. Leaves - raw or cooked. An excellent water cress substitute. A slightly bitter flavour, but not disagreeable. The grated raw root is used as a condiment.
Medicinal Uses
Carminative Digestive. The leaves and the flowering plant are carminative and digestive.
Distribution
N. America - Newfoundland to Minnesota and Montana, south to Florida, Tennessee and Kansas.
Where It Grows
Coming Soon
Cultivation
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of this country. A polymorphic species, it is closely related to C. parviflora. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a moist humus rich soil in shade or semi-shade but succeeds in most soils that are not dry.
Propagation
Seed - sow outdoors in a seedbed in a shady position in April. Plant out in autumn or spring. Division.
