
| Also known as: | |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Cardamine |
| Family: | Brassicaceae (Mustard) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | native |
| Habitat: | part shade; rich moist woods, stream banks |
| Bloom season: | April - May |
| Plant height: | 8 to 16 inches |
| USDA PLANTS database: | Minnesota county distribution map |
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A single raceme at the top of the plant, usually floppy but flowers may become erect in sunnier locations. Individual flowers are ½ to ¾ inch across when fully open, have 4 white to pale pinkish petals and 6 yellow stamens. The 4 sepals at the base of the flower are green to purplish and paler around the edges.
All plants have basal leaves; flowering plants also have a single whorl of 3 leaves on the upper stem. Basal and stem leaves are similar, to 3 inches long and wide, palmately lobed, divided nearly to the base of the leaf into 3 to 5 main parts. Lobes are generally elliptical, coarsely toothed with large rounded teeth or additional small lobes and long leaf stems. Leaves are hairless but the main stem may be hairy in the upper part. Basal leaves are separated from the flowering stem.
Map of native plant purveyors in the upper midwest
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Photos by K. Chayka and Peter M. Dziuk, taken at Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden. Additional photos by Peter M. Dziuk taken in the woods at Chominix Golf Course, Lino Lakes
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
There is a good amount of them off the trail in Three Rivers Park in Prior Lake so on to be developed. They are now not in full bloom. Hopefully when they develop the park they will not disturb them. There were masses of them and they are off the trail. Such a beautiful sight.
on: 2010-04-13 21:25:32
I saw many of these in Maple Plain, Minnesota yesterday (04.12.10) in the Baker Park Reserve. They were right off the road in the maple/basswood forest. Use extreme caution if looking...there are several ephemerials blooming including wild leeks, wild ginger, and bloodroot. They are fragile. First time I have ever seen them!