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(Cardamine pentaphyllos)
Five-Leaflet Bitter-Cress (Cardamine pentaphyllos)
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Dom Coulot
CC BY-SA 4.0
Image By:
Dom Coulot
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY-SA 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Dom Coulot | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ | Attribution: Dom Coulot (cc-by-sa) | Rights Holder: Dom Coulot | Publisher: PlantNet | Date Created: 2020-05-21T16:11:28Z | Title: Cardamine pentaphyllos (L.) Crantz: flower | Notes: |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Cardamine pentaphyllos, commonly known as five-leaflet bitter-cress or showy toothwort, is an herbaceous perennial plant native to the deciduous woodlands of central and southern Europe. It typically grows to a height of 30–50 cm (12–20 in) and features distinctive palmate leaves with five leaflets. The plant produces attractive racemes of purple, pink, or white flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer, offering a showy display that has earned it the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
Five-leaflet bitter-cress thrives in the dappled shade of its native woodland habitat, making it an excellent choice for shaded garden areas or woodland gardens. It is valued for its ornamental flowers and its ability to naturalize in suitable conditions. In cultivation, it prefers moist, well-drained soils rich in organic matter and can tolerate full sun to part shade, though it flourishes best in cooler, shaded environments. While it requires high amounts of water, especially during dry periods, it is generally low maintenance once established. It is not commonly associated with serious diseases or pests, but slugs and snails may occasionally feed on the foliage.CC BY-SA 4.0
Five-leaflet bitter-cress thrives in the dappled shade of its native woodland habitat, making it an excellent choice for shaded garden areas or woodland gardens. It is valued for its ornamental flowers and its ability to naturalize in suitable conditions. In cultivation, it prefers moist, well-drained soils rich in organic matter and can tolerate full sun to part shade, though it flourishes best in cooler, shaded environments. While it requires high amounts of water, especially during dry periods, it is generally low maintenance once established. It is not commonly associated with serious diseases or pests, but slugs and snails may occasionally feed on the foliage.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1-1.6 feet
- Width: 1-1.5 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Purple, Pink, White
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: High
- Drainage: Slow, Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Butterfly Garden, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Low Maintenance, Rock Garden, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Deciduous woodlands of central and southern Europe
Other Names
Common Names: Showy Toothwort, Finger-Zahnwurz
Scientific Names: , Cardamine pentaphyllos, Dentaria digitata, Dentaria pentaphyllos, Cardamine digitata, Cardamine clusiana, Cardamine digitata var. glabra, Cardamine digitata var. pubescens, Crucifera pentaphylla, Dentaria clusiana,
GBIF Accepted Name: Cardamine pentaphyllos (L.) Crantz