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Description
Cardamine Maxima, commonly known as the Large Toothwort, is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the Brassicaceae family. It is native to North America and can grow up to 2-3 feet tall. The plant has green leaves that are divided into three to five segments and bear small white or pink flowers that bloom in clusters from late spring to early summer.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Brassicales |
| Family | Brassicaceae |
| Genus | Cardamine |
Appearance
The Large Toothwort has a unique appearance with green leaves that are divided into three to five segments. The leaves are oval-shaped, and the edges are toothed. The plant can grow up to 2-3 feet tall and bears small white or pink flowers that bloom in clusters from late spring to early summer. The flowers have four petals and are about 1 cm in diameter. The plant has a distinctive aroma that is similar to that of garlic.
Care Guide
The Large Toothwort is an easy-to-care-for plant that requires moderate attention. Here are some care tips:
- Water: The plant needs regular watering, and the soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged.
- Fertilization: The plant does not require frequent fertilization, but adding organic matter to the soil can be beneficial.
- Soil: The plant grows well in well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
- Sunlight: The plant prefers partial shade to full shade and can tolerate some direct sunlight.
- Hardiness Zones: The Large Toothwort grows well in USDA zones 4 to 8.
Common Pests & Diseases
The Large Toothwort is generally resistant to most pests and diseases. However, it can be affected by the following:
- Aphids: Aphids can cause damage to the leaves and flowers of the plant.
- Slugs and snails: These pests can eat the leaves of the plant and cause damage.
- Clubroot: Clubroot is a fungal disease that can cause stunted growth and yellowing of the leaves.
- Downy mildew: Downy mildew is a fungal disease that can cause yellow or brown spots on the leaves.
Habitat
The Large Toothwort is native to North America and can be found in moist woods, ravines, and along streams. The plant prefers shade and moist soil and can tolerate some direct sunlight. It can grow in a variety of soils, but it prefers well-draining soil.
Question and Answer
Q: Is the Large Toothwort a medicinal plant?
A: Yes, the Large Toothwort has been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments such as coughs, colds, and fevers.
Q: Can the Large Toothwort be grown in containers?
A: Yes, the plant can be grown in containers as long as the soil is well-draining and the container is large enough to accommodate the plant’s growth.
Q: How often should the Large Toothwort be fertilized?
A: The plant does not require frequent fertilization, but adding organic matter to the soil once a year can be beneficial.
Q: How tall can the Large Toothwort grow?
A: The plant can grow up to 2-3 feet tall.
Related Plants
- Cardamine diphylla
- Cardamine concatenata
- Cardamine douglassii
- Cardamine nuttallii
References
- USDA Plants Database. Cardamine maxima. Accessed September 8, 2021. https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?id=camax
- Illinois Wildflowers. Cardamine maxima. Accessed September 8, 2021. https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/woodland/plants/large_toothwort.htm
- Missouri Botanical Garden. Cardamine maxima. Accessed September 8, 2021. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=284406
