Cardamine dissecta (Leavenw.) Al-Shehbaz

Dissected Toothwort; Finely Lobed Toothwort

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Dissected Toothwort is a native perennial in the Mustard family (Brassicaceae). It is found primarily in the northern and western portions of Alabama. Dissected Toothwort occurs in rich hardwood forests, along streams and rivers, in rocky calcareous woods, and in ravines. It is a perennial from a segmented rhizome. A single unbranched erect stem emerges from the apex of each rhizome. Stems are glabrous and 3-8 inches in height. Each stem has 2 or rarely three alternate or sub-opposite leaves. The leaves are biternately dissected into linear segments. The leaves are glabrous with entire margins. Flowers are produced in terminal racemes. Flowers open from the base to the apex of the raceme. Each flower has four white or pale pink petals. The fruit is a silique (a dry fruit that is more than three times as long as broad. The outer haves of the fruit split off leaving the seed exposed on a papery septum) containing 10-14 seed. Dissected Toothwort is sometimes available from native plant nurseries. It prefers a moist organic rich soil and full shade. Because the fragile rhizome is often several inches below the soil surface, Dissected Toothwort is very difficult to transplant.--A. Diamond

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Native

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