woodland bittercress
Family
BrassicaceaeScientific Name
Cardamine flexuosaSynonyms (former Scientific Names):
Cardamine hirsuta ssp. Flexuosa
Cardamine konaensis
Leaves
Alternate stem leaves are fewer than 10. Oval eaves are pinnately divided and not clasping. Petiole of stem leaves are hairy at the base. Leaves are less than 2cm wide. No rosette leaves at the base of the flowering stem.
Identifying Characteristics
Hairy stems but petioles are without hair except at the base. Hairs are unbranched.
Flower Seed Head
Petals are less than 5 mm long and flowers are less than 6 mm wide. Each stalk ends in a raceme of white flowers.
Seed Fruit
Seeds are without wings and up to 1mm wide. They are 4 times as long as they are wide.
Where Found
Found in roadsides, pastures, cropland, and abandond areas.
Growth Habit
prostrate and nonwoody
Thorns or Spines
not present
Approximate Flower Diameter
Varies:
pencil,
dime
Dominant Flower Color
white
Flower Symmetry
radial symmetery
Leaf Hairs
no hairs
Leaf Shape
oval
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Margin
entire
Leaf Structure
pinnate
Leaf Stalk
shorter than leaf
Stem Hairs
has hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Root Structure
fibrous
Life Cycle
winter annual
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Herb