Narrowleaf bittercress
Cardamine impatiens

Family: Brassicaceae or Cruciferae

What it is like

Cardamine impatiens is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from May to August, and the seeds ripen from May to September. 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 semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Height (m): 0.6

Where it is found

Very local in shady woods, especially ash, and on moist limestone rocks and cliffs, especially in the west.

Europe, including Britain, from Sweden to C. Spain, eastwards through Asia to Japan.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked. Used as a vegetable.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The plants is antirheumatic, diuretic and stimulant.

Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Stimulant: Excites or quickens activity of the physiological processes. Faster acting than a tonic but differing from a narcotic in that it does not give a false sense of well-being.

Other

Rating: 0

How it is grown

Succeeds in most soils. Prefers a moist humus rich soil in shade or semi-shade.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring or autumn in situ.

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

Habit: Annual/Biennial

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth:

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

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

This plant can be weedy or invasive. Noxious Weed Information: Connecticut (narrowleaf bittercress) Invasive, banned. Massachusetts (bushy rock-cress, narrowleaf bittercress) Prohibited.

Its other names

Local names

narrowleaf bittercress or narrow-leaved bitter-cress, bushy rock-cress, Sim sag, Tan lie sui mi qi.

Synonyms

Cardamine apetala Moench. Cardamine basisagittata W.T.Wang. Cardamine brachycarpa Opiz. Cardamine da