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Description
Cardamine Leucantha, also known as White Rockcress or Mountain Cress, is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the Brassicaceae family. Native to the western United States, it typically grows in rocky or gravelly soils in alpine and subalpine regions. The plant produces white or pinkish flowers that bloom from April to August, and its leaves are typically basal and lobed.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukaryota |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Brassicales |
| Family | Brassicaceae |
| Genus | Cardamine |
Appearance
Cardamine Leucantha typically grows to be 10-30 cm tall and has basal leaves that are 2-6 cm long and 1-2 cm wide. The leaves are typically lobed and have a toothed margin. The plant produces flowers on a raceme that can be up to 30 cm long. The flowers are typically white or pinkish and have four petals that are 5-8 mm long. The fruit of the plant is a long, slender pod that contains numerous small seeds.
Care Guide
Cardamine Leucantha prefers moist, well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. It should be planted in a location that receives full to partial sun. The plant should be watered regularly, but care should be taken not to overwater it, as this can cause root rot. The plant should be fertilized in the spring with a balanced fertilizer. It is hardy to USDA zones 4-8.
Common Pests & Diseases
Cardamine Leucantha is relatively pest and disease-free. However, it can be susceptible to root rot if the soil is too wet. Leaf spot can also occur if the plant is grown in overly humid conditions. Aphids and flea beetles can occasionally be a problem.
Habitat
Cardamine Leucantha is native to the western United States and is typically found in alpine and subalpine regions in rocky or gravelly soils. It can be found in meadows, along streams, and on talus slopes.
Question and Answer
Q: Is Cardamine Leucantha edible?
A: Yes, the leaves of Cardamine Leucantha are edible and can be used in salads or cooked as a green.
Q: Can Cardamine Leucantha be grown in a container?
A: Yes, Cardamine Leucantha can be grown in a container as long as it has adequate drainage and is watered regularly.
Q: Does Cardamine Leucantha attract pollinators?
A: Yes, Cardamine Leucantha’s flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinators.
Q: How often should Cardamine Leucantha be fertilized?
A: Cardamine Leucantha should be fertilized once a year in the spring with a balanced fertilizer.
Related Plants
- Cardamine californica
- Cardamine cordifolia
- Cardamine gambelii
- Cardamine occidentalis
References
- USDA Plants Database. (n.d.). Cardamine Leucantha. Retrieved from https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=CALE5
- Wildflower.org. (n.d.). Cardamine Leucantha. Retrieved from https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CALE5
- Colorado State University Extension. (2017). White Rockcress. Retrieved from https://extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/native/plants/white-rockcress.pdf
