How to Grow and Care for Bittercresses

Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis) is a perennial wildflower that blooms in the springtime. In the natural ecosystem, it is important as the prime food source for caterpillars of the orange-tip and the green-veined white butterfly. It is commonly found growing in wet grassland areas and near ponds and streams. Because cuckooflower flowers were said to be sacred to fairies, it was considered bad luck to bring them indoors.

Hairy bittercress is a weed found around the world. It is edible as a bitter herb and is most commonly found in recently disturbed areas, roadsides, and wasteground. Cardamine hirsuta uses a form of rapid plant movement for seed dispersal, where ripe seeds burst from siliques and land far away from the parent plant.

This is a small flowering plant in the cabbage family. It grows to a height of no more than 30 cm. The flowers are very small and white. In certain areas of India the wavy bittercress is eaten or used as a garnish.

Cutleaf toothwort (Cardamine concatenata) is a perennial wildflower that attracts bees, butterflies, caterpillars and other insects. Insects are attracted to the sweet nectar from this flower. Cutleaf toothwort reproduces by rhizomes and through seeds. Its common name comes from its tooth-shaped edible rhizomes. The rhizomes have a peppery taste and can be added to salads and other foods.

The genus name Cardamine is derived from the Greek words for "water cress" and "garden peppergrass," "kardaminē" and "kardamon," not to be confused with the famous spice cardamom. Pinnate coralroot has ornamental value and it attracts bees, butterflies, moths, and flies.