Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Brassicaceae

Genus:

Cardamine

Species:

Cardamine pensylvanica

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Annual | Biennial | Perennial

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

2-3 ft

Light Requirements:

Part Shade

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

apr, jun

Bloom Colors:

White

Native Range

United States: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:

★★★★★ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

rich, moist, well-drained loamy soil

pH:

5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

tolerates poor drainage

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

often found in wetland areas and along streams

Germination Information