Cardamine concatenata: Uses (Ethnobotany)
The Iroquois Indians used this plant for food and ate the roots either raw or boiled. The plant was also used for medical treatment, including heart conditions, colds, headaches, and stomach pains.
Plant Profile: Cardamine concatenata
Taxonomy: Cardamine concatenataNames
Cut-leafed Toothwort, Pepper Root
Phonetic Spelling:den-TAY-ree-uh la-sin-ee-AH-ta
Genus:Cardamine
Species:concatenata
Family:Brassicaceae
The Cut-leafed Toothwort, also known as Pepper Root, is a perennial wildflower indigenous to the woodlands of eastern Canada and the central and eastern regions of the United States. This plant thrives in rich, moist, and well-drained soils, demonstrating resilience to occasional seasonal flooding. During autumn and winter, it serves as a light ground cover, while its delicate white flowers bloom in the spring, just before the deciduous trees unfurl their leaves. The plant enters a dormant phase during the summer months.
Belonging to the Brassicaceae family, commonly referred to as the mustard family, the genus Cardamine derives from the Greek word "Kardamon," which translates to "cress." The species name, concatenata, comes from Latin, meaning "linked together in a chain." The plant's rhizomes are oblong, fleshy, and jointed, resembling a string of beads. The common name, Pepper Root, highlights the spicy, radish-like flavor of its rhizomes, while Cut-leafed Toothwort refers to the tooth-like projections on its underground stems.
This wildflower produces basal leaves and fertile shoots, with the basal leaves serving to store energy for the following year's growth. The fertile shoot consists of a single flower atop a stalk adorned with a whorl of three deeply lobed leaves. The flowers bloom in terminal clusters, featuring four cross-shaped petals. After blooming, long, slender green pods develop, which open in 4 to 5 weeks to release 10 to 14 small seeds.
Propagation of the Cut-leafed Toothwort can occur through seeds or rhizomes. However, the seeds lose their viability quickly when stored, so it is advisable to sow them immediately after collection. Seedlings typically take 3 to 4 years to bloom. The rhizomes are delicate, making it best to divide them during the plant's dormant period.
Generally, this plant is free from diseases and pests. It serves as a food source for the White-footed mouse and the caterpillars of the Mustard White and West Virginia White butterflies. Additionally, its flowers provide nectar for honeybees and bumblebees.
In perennial or woodland gardens, the Cut-leafed Toothwort adds early spring interest. As it goes dormant in the summer, other perennials can take its place, making it a charming addition to informal or cottage gardens.
The Two-leafed Toothwort bears resemblance to the Cut-leafed Toothwort but is distinguished by having only two leaves on its stalk instead of the three whorled leaves characteristic of its counterpart.
Cardamine concatenata Feature Summary
Cardamine concatenata Image Gallery
Tags
#perennial
#food source
#rock gardens
#borders
#wildflower garden
#early spring flowers
#larval host plant
#woodlands
#dormant summer
Similar Plants
Cardamine concatenata is often confused with:
Cardamine concatenata Feature Summary
Attributes
The Iroquois Indians used this plant for food and ate the roots either raw or boiled. The plant was also used for medical treatment, including heart conditions, colds, headaches, and stomach pains.
East Canada, Central and Eastern United States
Canada--Ontario and Quebec; United States--AL, AR, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, ME, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NE, NH, NJ, NC, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV
The plant is a food source for the white-footed mouse. The nectar of the flowers attracts honey bees and bumblebees. Some early butterflies may also be attracted to the flower for its nectar. The caterpillars of the Mustard White and the West Virginia White butterfly use the foliage as a food source.
The roots of the plant are spicy and have a radish flavor. They may be sliced and used in salads.
Perennial
Seed
Division
Fruit
After flowering, erect, elongated, pod-like siliques and are about 1 inch long. The pod splits open about 4-5 weeks after blooming. Each siliqua contains 10-14 small, brown, flat, ovoid-shaped seeds.
Siliqua
Green
Spring
< 1 inch
< 1 inch
Flowers
In the early spring, the flowers bloom as terminal clusters of four white cross-shaped petals atop the erect stem. Tinges of pink or lavender may be seen on the petals. They have 4 sepals and 6 stamens. The flower's diameter is 3/4 inch. Blooming typically occurs in early spring from March to May before the deciduous trees have leafed out. The blooming period is about 2 weeks.
Pink
White
Raceme
Spring
4-5 petals/rays
Bell
Cross
< 1 inch
Leaves
The plant has a rosette of basal leaves on the unbranched stem. In the middle of each stem, there is a whorl of three sharply toothed, lance-shaped leaves. Each leaf is about 3 inches long and wide. The leaves are grayish-green to medium green and deeply cleft into 3-5 narrow lobes. They have dentate teeth along the margins and appear nearly opposite of each other. The leaves turn yellow before the plant goes dormant during the summer.
Green
Gray/Silver
Simple
Whorled
Lanceolate
Dentate
1-3 inches
1-3 inches
Stem
The erect stem rises directly from the rhizomes and is grayish-green to medium green in color. The stem is glabrous to slightly pubescent. The flower appears at the terminal end of the stem. The stem is unbranched and has a whorl of leaves just above the middle of the stem.
Green
Gray/Silver
Straight
Whole Plant Traits
Cultural Conditions
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Good Drainage
Moist
Less than 12 inches
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
4a
4b
5b
5a
6a
6b
7a
7b
8b
8a
3a
3b
High Organic Matter
Landscape
Rock Garden
Border
Woodland
Naturalized Area
Slope/Bank
Butterflies
Pollinators
Bees
Specialized Bees
Cardamine concatenata Image Gallery
Cardamine concatenata Attributes
Cardamine concatenata: Country Or Region Of Origin
East Canada, Central and Eastern United States
Cardamine concatenata: Distribution
Canada--Ontario and Quebec; United States--AL, AR, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, ME, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NE, NH, NJ, NC, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV
Cardamine concatenata: Wildlife Value
The plant is a food source for the white-footed mouse. The nectar of the flowers attracts honey bees and bumblebees. Some early butterflies may also be attracted to the flower for its nectar. The caterpillars of the Mustard White and the West Virginia White butterfly use the foliage as a food source.
Cardamine concatenata: Edibility
The roots of the plant are spicy and have a radish flavor. They may be sliced and used in salads.
Cardamine concatenata: Life Cycle
Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody
Cardamine concatenata: Recommended Propagation Strategy
Division
Grafting
Layering
Leaf Cutting
Root Cutting
Seed
Stem Cutting
Cardamine concatenata Fruit
Cardamine concatenata: Fruit Description
After flowering, erect, elongated, pod-like siliques and are about 1 inch long. The pod splits open about 4-5 weeks after blooming. Each siliqua contains 10-14 small, brown, flat, ovoid-shaped seeds.
Cardamine concatenata: Fruit Type
Achene
Aggregate
Berry
Capsule
Caryopsis
Drupe
Follicle
Legume
Nut
Pome
Samara
Schizocarp
Siliqua
Cardamine concatenata: Fruit Color
Green
Cardamine concatenata: Display/Harvest Time
Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter
Cardamine concatenata: Fruit Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
> 3 inches
Cardamine concatenata: Fruit Width
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
> 3 inches
Cardamine concatenata Flowers
Cardamine concatenata: Flower Description
In the early spring, the flowers bloom as terminal clusters of four white cross-shaped petals atop the erect stem. Tinges of pink or lavender may be seen on the petals. They have 4 sepals and 6 stamens. The flower's diameter is 3/4 inch. Blooming typically occurs in early spring from March to May before the deciduous trees have leafed out. The blooming period is about 2 weeks.
Cardamine concatenata: Flower Color
Pink
White
Cardamine concatenata: Flower Inflorescence
Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel
Cardamine concatenata: Flower Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy
Cardamine concatenata: Flower Bloom Time
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Cardamine concatenata: Flower Petals
2-3 rays/petals
4-5 petals/rays
6 petals/rays
7 - 20 petals/rays
asymmetrical petals
Bracts
Colored Sepals
fused petals
more than 20 petals/rays
Tepals
Cardamine concatenata: Flower Shape
Bell
Cross
Crown
Cup
Dome
Funnel
Irregular
Lipped
Radial
Saucer
Star
Trumpet
Tubular
Urn
Wheel
Cardamine concatenata: Flower Size
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches
Cardamine concatenata Leaves
Cardamine concatenata: Leaf Description
The plant has a rosette of basal leaves on the unbranched stem. In the middle of each stem, there is a whorl of three sharply toothed, lance-shaped leaves. Each leaf is about 3 inches long and wide. The leaves are grayish-green to medium green and deeply cleft into 3-5 narrow lobes. They have dentate teeth along the margins and appear nearly opposite of each other. The leaves turn yellow before the plant goes dormant during the summer.
Cardamine concatenata: Leaf Color
Gray/Silver
Green
Cardamine concatenata: Leaf Type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple
Cardamine concatenata: Leaf Arrangement
Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled
Cardamine concatenata: Leaf Shape
Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate
Cardamine concatenata: Leaf Margin
Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate
Cardamine concatenata: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Cardamine concatenata: Leaf Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Cardamine concatenata: Leaf Width
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Cardamine concatenata Stem
Cardamine concatenata: Stem Description
The erect stem rises directly from the rhizomes and is grayish-green to medium green in color. The stem is glabrous to slightly pubescent. The flower appears at the terminal end of the stem. The stem is unbranched and has a whorl of leaves just above the middle of the stem.
Cardamine concatenata: Stem Color
Gray/Silver
Green
Cardamine concatenata: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Cardamine concatenata: Stem Form
Straight
Zig Zags
Cardamine concatenata Whole Plant Traits
Cardamine concatenata: Plant Type
Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower
Cardamine concatenata: Habit/Form
Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping
Cardamine concatenata: Growth Rate
Slow
Medium
Rapid
Cardamine concatenata: Maintenance
Low
Medium
High
Cardamine concatenata Cultural Conditions
Cardamine concatenata: Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Cardamine concatenata: Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Alkaline (>8.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Cardamine concatenata: Soil Drainage
Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry
Cardamine concatenata: Available Space To Plant
12 inches-3 feet
12-24 feet
24-60 feet
3 feet-6 feet
6-feet-12 feet
Less than 12 inches
more than 60 feet
Cardamine concatenata: NC Region
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
Cardamine concatenata: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
3a
3b
4a
4b
5a
5b
6a
6b
7a
7b
8a
8b
Cardamine concatenata: Soil Texture
Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky
Cardamine concatenata Landscape
Cardamine concatenata: Landscape Theme
Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden
Cardamine concatenata: Design Feature
Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree
Cardamine concatenata: Landscape Location
Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland
Cardamine concatenata: Attracts
Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees
