Willamette Valley Bittercress
Cardamine penduliflora
- Native to:
- United States
iNaturalist: © sphyrapicus (iNaturalist #88751032)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Genus:
- Cardamine
- Species:
- Cardamine penduliflora
- USDA Symbol:
- CAPE2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 40 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, small mammals
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination. Best sown fresh as viability decreases with storage.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds were sown into cone-tainers filled with Sunshine #1(a soil-less peat-based media)amended with micro-nutrients (Micromax) and a slow release fertilizer (Osmocote 14-14-14).
Establishment: Seed pods quickly turn from green to brown, shattering the seed. Careful monitoring is needed for this species.
Source: npn.rngr.net