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Bulbous Bittercress

Cardamine bulbosa
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Cardamine bulbosa (Bulbous Bittercress) — botanical photograph
Pl. B03A — Cardamine bulbosa
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Overview

Bulbous Bittercress (Cardamine bulbosa) is a perennial herb native to the eastern United States and southeastern Canada, including states such as Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, and more. This plant thrives in moist, wet environments like meadows and along streams, preferring light to partial shade and soil that ranges from sandy to clay. With a height of up to 0.5 meters, it is hardy in zones 4-8 and grows as a single-crown plant, making it easy to identify. The distinctive feature of Bulbous Bittercress is its bulb-like roots, which contribute to its hardiness and adaptability. The edible leaves of this plant can be used in salads or cooked as greens, making it a valuable addition to the kitchen. It is known to grow up to 0.5 meters tall and prefers a soil pH between 5 and 6.8. For best results, propagate through seeds or division and ensure the soil is moist or wet. While not medicinal, its edible parts make it a useful plant for those interested in foraging and culinary applications.

Quick answers

What is Bulbous Bittercress?

Bulbous Bittercress (Cardamine bulbosa) is a perennial herb native to the eastern United States and southeastern Canada, including states such as Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, and more.

Growingconditions · propagation · uses
V

Cultivation

Bulbous Bittercress thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist to wet soil, making it suitable for areas with high humidity. It grows well in light (sandy), medium, and heavy (clay) soils and has a hardiness range of 4-8, indicating it is generally hardy in temperate regions. For best results, maintain a soil pH between 5 and 6.8. This perennial can reach a height of 0.5 meters and is best propagated through seeds or division. Harvest the leaves for culinary use.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist, Wet
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-8
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.5 m tall
Soil pH
5–6.8
For first-time growers

How to grow Bulbous Bittercress for the first time

8steps

Start with Bulbous Bittercress as a simple, low-maintenance perennial for your garden.

  1. 1

    What you'll need

    Seeds or small plants, a trowel, and a watering can.

  2. 2

    Best time to plant

    Plant in spring after the last frost or in fall before the first freeze.

  3. 3

    Soil and container prep

    Choose a spot with light to partial sun. Ensure soil is moist, well-draining, and has a pH between 5 and 6.8.

  4. 4

    Sowing or transplanting

    Direct sow seeds in the garden or start them indoors and transplant when they have two sets of true leaves.

  5. 5

    First two weeks

    Keep soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells. Monitor for pests and diseases.

  6. 6

    Ongoing care

    Water regularly to maintain moisture levels. Mulch around plants to retain water and suppress weeds.

  7. 7

    Harvest or pruning

    Prune spent flowers to encourage more blooms and prevent self-seeding. Remove any yellowing leaves to keep the plant healthy.

  8. 8

    Common mistakes

    Overwatering, planting in full sun, neglecting to mulch, not removing dead foliage.

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Edible & utility

Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: Condiment
Contextrange · companions · related
VII

Distribution

39 native · 0 introduced
Distribution across1 continent· 39 native
Asia1 region
native (1)Georgia
Broader regions
native:Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Masachusettes, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Québec, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin
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Specimen gallery

1 image
Cardamine bulbosa (Bulbous Bittercress) — botanical photograph
Bulbous Bittercress (Cardamine bulbosa)
XI

Explore further

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About this entry

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