Scientific Name:
Cardamine oligosperma
Pronunciation:
kar-DAM-ih-nee ol-ig-oh-SPERM-a
Common Name:
snapweed, little western bittercress
Family Name:
Brassicaceae
Plant Type:
Annual (true), Biennial, Herbaceous perennial, Weed (horticultural)
Key ID Features:
Leaves mostly basal, 3-4cm long x 1-2cm wide, pinnately compound, leaflets 4-9mm long x 2-6mm wide, sometimes lobed or narrow, petiolules ~7mm long (stem leaves similar); racemes 3-10cm long, flowers small with 4 white petals 2-4mm long, sepals 1-2mm long; silique 1.5-2.5cm long x 1-1.5mm wide, exploding to release 15-25 seeds, on petiole stalk 4-7mm long.
Habit:
Upright
Form:
Round
Texture:
Fine
Mature Height:
0.1 - 0.2m
Mature Spread:
0.1 - 0.3m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
B.C. east of Cascades, B.C. west of Cascades, U.S. - northwest, U.S. - southwest (Naturalized In BC)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 4: (-34 to -29 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Water Use:
High
Landscape Uses:
Herb
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Lobed, Compound
Arrangement:
Alternate, Basal
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Pubescent
Compound Leaf:
Odd-pinnate, Leaflets stalked
Shapes:
Oblanceolate
Apices:
Rounded
Bases:
Attenuate
Margins:
Pinnately lobed
Inflorescence Type:
Raceme, Corymb-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
4
Corolla Shape:
Cruciform
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
White
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul
Fruit Type:
Silique
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Apr, May, Jun, Jul
Additional Info:
About 1.5mm wide; bursts open to eject 15 - 22 seeds
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green
Organ Modifications:
Fibrous-like roots
Propagation:
Seed
Maintenance:
High
Pest Susceptibility:
Mildew, Rust (Pest resistant, Disease resistant)
