Cardamine raphanifolia

Family: Brassicaceae or Cruciferae

What it is like

Cardamine raphanifolia is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist or wet soil.

Height (m): 0.5

Where it is found

Damp places and streamsides in mountains.

Europe - France, Spain and Italy. Occasionally established in Britain.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

We have no information on the edibility of this plant but the leaves are almost certainly edible.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

Plants can be grown as a ground cover, making a fairly good carpet in a moist position.

Ground cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

Prefers a moist humus rich soil in shade or semi-shade but succeeds in most soils that are not dry. Plants are closely related to C. pratensis.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 weeks at 15°c. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame for the first two years, planting them out when dormant in late summer. Division in early spring or after the plant dies down in the summer. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover; Bog Garden;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

C. latifolia non Lej.