Milkmaids
Cardamine californica
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
iNaturalist: © iamtooarealdoctor (iNaturalist #70772231)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Genus:
- Cardamine
- Species:
- Cardamine californica
- USDA Symbol:
- CACA39
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 40 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- feb,mar,apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Green-veined white (Pieris napi), Sara Orangetip (Anthocharis sara)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Butterflies:Margined White (Pieris marginalis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers shaded or semi-shaded areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination. Surface sow or barely cover. Spring-sown seeds may germinate erratically.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are stratified for 1 month
Establishment: Seeds are collected between May 4th and May 25th. Mature fruits begin to turn yellowish-brown and become stiff; eventually fruits split from the top. C. californica is found in shady banks and slopes, mostly below 2500 feet; from southwest Oregon to Lower California.
Source: npn.rngr.net