Cardamine angulata

Common Names

Seaside Bittercress, Angled Bittercress

Summary

Cardamine angulata is a native western North American perennial herb occurring west of the Cascades from Alaska to northern California in moist forests, wetlands, and along stream banks where shade is common, it forms an erect, unbranched plant from spreading rhizomes, typically 20–80 cm tall, with leaves mainly on the stem that are palmately divided into three leaflets, flowers cluster at the stem tips with four white to pink petals, and erect siliques 2–4 cm long, flowering occurs from April to June, propagation is seed-based, with ecotypes Redwood Forest, Mixed Evergreen Forest, and Wetland-riparia, germination occurs about 30 days after sowing, seeds store dry at 4 °C, and warm–cold stratification for about a month between 4–8 °C is recommended before sowing, it thrives in moist, well-drained soils with partial shade to full sun, typically in loamy or sandy soils, with regular moisture, lifespan is about 2–3 years, it provides edible leaves and flowers and attracts bees and flies, and is not toxic to humans, though moderation is advised, pests such as aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs may occur, with deterrents such as repellents or garlic spray, it may be browsed by rabbits and deer

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

12-24 inches

Spread

12-18 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4a-8b

Sunlight Requirements

Partial Shade to Full Sun.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained loamy or sandy soil, pH 6.0–7.0.

Soil Drainage

Wet, poorly drained soils

Soil pH

6.0-7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Bloom Color

White to pink

Bloom Time

Late Spring to Early Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous, Other

Growth Rate

Moderate

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees and butterflies, Attracts flies