Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Cardamine pensylvanica is a species of Cardamine known by the common name Pennsylvania bittercress. It is native to most of Canada and the United States from coast to coast. It is generally found in moist to wet areas, such as the mud on riverbanks. It is a biennial herb producing one or more erect or leaning, branching stems which are purple to green in color and grow 10-70 cm (4-28 in) tall. The leaves are hairless and divided into several rounded to oval lobes, each of which has one or two lobes, with the exception of the large terminal leaflet at the tip, which generally has three. Most of the leaves are located along the stem and there is no basal rosette. The inflorescence comprises many flowers, each with four white petals a few millimeters long. The fruit is a slender silique 2-3 cm (0. 8-1. 2 in) long.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

4 - 28 in Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Fast

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Color

White

Flowering season

Spring

Soil description

Adaptable, tolerant of sand, loam and clay.

Plant communities

Red Fir Forest, Wetland-Riparian, Yellow Pine Forest

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 2 likely

Confirmed Likely

Sara Orangetip

Anthocharis sara

Margined White

Pieris marginalis