Greater bittercress
Cardamine flexuosa
Synonyms: Cardamine pusilla, Cardamine setigera, Cardamine hirsuta f. rigida, Cardamine scutata subsp. flexuosa, Cardamine fallax var. glabra, Cardamine flexuosa var. bracteata, Cardamine flexuosa f. pusilla, Cardamine hirsuta var. flexuosa, Cardamine hirsuta subsp. flexuosa, Cardamine flexuosa var. umbrosa, Cardamine hirsuta var. omeiensis, Cardamine flexuosa f. macrocarpa, Cardamine konaensis, Cardamine hirsuta var. silvestris, Cardamine sylvatica f. umbrosa, Cardamine flexuosa var. ovatifolia, Cardamine hirsuta subsp. sylvatica, Cardamine muscosa, Cardamine flexuosa f. heterophylla, Cardamine flexuosa var. interrupta, Cardamine flexuosa var. haleakalensis, Cardamine duraniensis, Cardamine drymeja, Cardamine flexuosa var. petiolulata, Cardamine flexuosa f. umbrosa, Cardamine sylvatica f. nudicaulis, Cardamine flexuosa var. gracilipes
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Botanical Description
Cardamine flexuosa, the wavy bitter-cress, is a small annual or biennial herb of the family Brassicaceae growing 10 to 50 cm tall, with a flexuous, often zigzag, branching stem that bears several leaves. The leaves are pinnately divided into several rounded to lobed leaflets, the terminal one largest, and there are usually more stem leaves than in the similar hairy bitter-cress. The tiny four-petalled white flowers are borne in small terminal clusters and characteristically have six stamens. The fruit is a slender, erect pod that, when ripe, springs open explosively to scatter the seeds. It flowers from spring into autumn. Native across Europe and Asia and widely naturalised, wavy bitter-cress grows in damp, shaded and disturbed ground, gardens, streamsides, woodland and cultivated soil. The peppery young leaves are edible in salads.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.