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Bittercress Wikimedia Commons
Brassicaceae

Bittercress

Cardamine hirsuta

Humble strength.

Family
Brassicaceae
Genus
Cardamine
Native to
Europe, Asia
Bloom season
Spring, Winter
Type
annual
Height
0.2-0.8 ft
Sunlight
full sun to part shade
Soil
Moist, disturbed soil
Water
moderate
Hardiness
3-9
Lifespan
annual

Did you know

  • The seed pods are spring-loaded and can catapult seeds up to 3 feet away when touched.
  • Bittercress can complete its entire life cycle in as little as four weeks in warm conditions.
  • The peppery leaves are edible and taste similar to watercress, making them useful in salads.
  • It is one of the earliest wildflowers to bloom, sometimes appearing in winter during mild spells.
  • A single plant can produce thousands of seeds, allowing it to colonize disturbed ground rapidly.

Color meanings

0

perseverance

1

simplicity

Uses

  • edible green
  • salad ingredient
  • early-season ground cover