Cardamine scutata
Cardamine scutata
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Pl. 4BA1 — Cardamine scutata
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IOverview
Overview
Cardamine scutata, commonly known as the Aleutian Honewort, is a member of the Brassicaceae family and is native to regions including China, Japan, Korea, and parts of Russia such as Kamchatka and Sakhalin. This plant thrives in moist, wet conditions with light to partial sun exposure, making it adaptable to various soil types ranging from sandy to clay. Known for its edible leaves, which can be used in culinary applications, Cardamine scutata is an annual or biennial that grows up to 0.3 meters tall. Its presence in diverse habitats across East Asia and the Russian Far East highlights its resilience and adaptability.
Quick answers
What is Cardamine scutata?
Cardamine scutata, commonly known as the Aleutian Honewort, is a member of the Brassicaceae family and is native to regions including China, Japan, Korea, and parts of Russia such as Kamchatka and Sakhalin.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Cardamine scutata thrives in full to partial sun and prefers moist to wet soil that is light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 4-8 and can be grown as an annual or biennial. For best results, keep the soil consistently moist and provide a well-draining area to prevent waterlogging. Harvest its edible leaves for culinary use.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist, Wet
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-8
Life cycle
Annual, Biennial
Mature size
0.3 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Cardamine scutata for the first time
8steps
Start with Cardamine scutata as an easy-to-grow annual, focusing on basic care and harvesting.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or seedlings, a small trowel, a watering can.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost, or in late summer for fall harvests.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a spot with partial sun to full sun. Ensure soil is moist, well-draining, and rich in organic matter.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 0.5 cm deep, spacing them about 15 cm apart. Alternatively, start seedlings indoors a few weeks before planting outdoors.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the soil consistently moist and provide light shade if full sun is too intense.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Pinch off flower buds to encourage leafy growth, and harvest young leaves for use in salads.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in full sun, neglecting to pinch back flowers.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: The leaves of Cardamine scutata are edible and can be eaten raw or cooked. They are commonly prepared in salads for their fresh flavor or steamed as a vegetable. Skip the detailed recipes; focus on these basic preparation methods.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
13 native · 1 introduced
Distribution
13 native · 1 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 13 native· 1 introduced
Asia5 regions
native (4)ChinaJapanSouth KoreaTaiwan
introduced (1)India
Broader regions
native:Aleutian Is., Kamchatka, Khabarovsk, Kuril Is., Magadan, Primorye, Sakhalin
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
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Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
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