Cardamine concatenata (Michx.) O. Schwarz

Cutleaf Toothwort; Three Leaf Toothwort

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Cutleaf Toothwort is a native perennial in the Mustard family (Brassicaceae). It can be found in the northern two-thirds of Alabama. Cutleaf Toothwort occurs in alluvial woods, mesic hardwood forests, in rocky woods, and along streams. It is a perennial from a rhizome. Unbranched green stems are from 3-10 inches in height and are slightly pubescent. Both basal and cauline leaves are produced. The cauline and basal leaves are similar in appearance. Cauline leaves are 2 or 3 and opposite or whorled. Leaves are palmately divided into 3-5 narrow lanceolate segments. The segments are coarsely dentate to almost entire. Flowers are produced in a raceme at the apex of the stems. Each raceme contains 6-25 flowers. The flowers are on slender pedicels. Each flower has four white petals. The petals are often tinged with pink or purple. The fruit is an erect silique with 10-14 brown seed. Cutleaf Toothwort is available from some wildflower nurseries. It is a spring ephemeral and will have flowered and died back before late spring. Cutleaf Toothwort prefers partial sunlight and a moist soil high in organic matter. It can be used in a woodland garden, naturalized under hardwood trees, or planted among later developing perennials that will fill in the gaps as it dies back.--A. Diamond

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Native FACU (NWPL) G5 (Global Rank)

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