Wavy Bittercress, Woodland bittercress
Cardamine flexuosa

Family: Brassicaceae or Cruciferae

What it is like

Cardamine flexuosa is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from April to September, and the seeds ripen from May to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). 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): 0.5

Where it is found

Moist shady places by streams and occasionally on cultivated ground.

Much of Europe, including Britain, east through Asia to China and Japan.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Leaves - raw or cooked. A hot cress-like flavour. Nice as a flavouring in salads, it is usually available all year round. Root - raw or cooked.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

Prefers a moist humus rich soil in shade or semi-shade but it succeeds in most soils and positions. A common garden weed, it is found especially in pot-grown plants.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring or autumn in situ. This species needs very little encouragement and is quite capable of sowing itself, often too freely.

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

Habit: Annual/Perennial

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth:

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

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

C. sylvatica.