Large Toothwort
Dentaria maxima
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Pl. 4524 — Dentaria maxima
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IOverview
Overview
Large Toothwort (Dentaria maxima) is a perennial herb found in the northeastern United States and eastern Canada, including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Brunswick, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Québec, Vermont, and Wisconsin. This plant thrives in moist, light to partial shade environments with well-drained soil that can be sandy or medium in texture. Known for its edible root, large toothwort is both a native and ornamental addition to gardens, though it is not commonly cultivated. Its distinctive feature lies in the shape of its leaves, which are divided into three leaflets, each with prominent teeth along the edges.
Quick answers
What is Large Toothwort?
Large Toothwort (Dentaria maxima) is a perennial herb found in the northeastern United States and eastern Canada, including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Brunswick, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Québec, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Large Toothwort thrives in partial sun to shade and prefers moist, light (sandy) or medium soil. It is a perennial that grows up to 0.3 meters tall and is native to regions including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Brunswick, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Québec, Vermont, and Wisconsin. For propagation, it can be divided in the fall or spring. This plant is hardy in temperate regions and its edible parts are the roots.
Light
Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.3 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Large Toothwort for the first time
7steps
Start with Large Toothwort as a simple, low-maintenance perennial for your garden.
- 1
What you'll need
A small plot of soil or container, seeds or young plants.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in early spring or late fall when the weather is cooler.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Ensure the soil is moist, light (sandy), and well-draining. Containers should have good drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 0.5 cm deep in the ground or plant young seedlings at a spacing of about 30 cm.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep soil consistently moist and avoid direct sunlight to prevent drying out.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Mulch around the plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead leaves in late winter before new growth starts to maintain plant health.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Root
Edible uses: The Large Toothwort's root is edible and can be prepared in various ways. It is typically dug from the ground and eaten raw or cooked. Some may choose to dry the roots for later use. Skip preparation details beyond these basic methods.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
14 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
14 native · 0 introducedDistribution across0 continents· 14 native
Broader regions
native:Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Michigan, New Brunswick, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Québec, Vermont, Masachusettes, Wisconsin
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
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Companion planting
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 45249fff-5bb4-4aa8-989c-49acb3b23da2
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