Cardamine concatenata (cutleaf toothwort)
cutleaf toothwort (quart)
Cut-leaved toothwort is a spring wildflower that contributes early spring color to the woodland garden. It owes its common name to the tooth-like appearance of its rhizome. It is considered a spring ephemeral, blooming in March, April, and/or May before the deciduous trees have leafed out. Its 6–12" stem is topped in a cluster of small, four-petaled pink or white flowers. They stand above a whorl of leaves that are deeply divided and coarsely toothed. Give it shade and moist soil. The roots can be washed, chopped, and ground in vinegar to be used as a horseradish substitute.
Cut-leaved toothwort is common in the rich woods of Maryland's Western Shore, but uncommon on the Eastern Shore. It attracts butterflies and is the host plant for falcate orangetip butterfly. The white-footed mouse is known to browse on this plant.
BONAP Native Range Map. Bright green indicates native to the county, dark green indicates native to the state.
Photo credit: Alan Cressler, Wildflower Center Digital Library, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
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