About Cardamine dentata Schult.
This entry covers Cardamine dentata Schult., and the description below originally refers to Cardamine pratensis. Cardamine pratensis is a hairless, herbaceous perennial plant that grows up to 60 centimetres (24 inches) tall. It produces pinnate leaves that are 5–12 cm (2–4 and 3⁄4 inches) long, with 3 to 15 leaflets; each individual leaflet is about 1 cm long. Flowers are borne on a spike that measures 10–30 cm (4–12 inches) long. Each flower is 1–2 cm in diameter, with four very pale violet-pink petals (white petals occur rarely), and 6 stamens. The fruit is a seed pod that can reach up to 5 cm (2 inches) in length. This plant grows best in areas close to water. The species is widespread across Europe, and is commonly found throughout the British Isles. In Ireland, it has been recorded from all 40 of the "vice-counties", a recording system adopted by Robert Lloyd Praeger in 1901. It is cultivated as an ornamental garden plant, and has become naturalised in North America following intentional cultivation. In some European countries, including parts of Germany, this plant is currently under threat. It serves as a food plant for Anthocharis cardamines, the orange-tip butterfly. The plant is edible, and has a peppery taste similar to watercress.
