Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District
Cutleaf Toothwort
(Pepper Root)
Dentaria laciniata
(Cardamine concatenata)
[C-value
5]
Mustard family (Brassicaceae)
Blooms mid-March -
May
The native Cutleaf Toothwort is a common early spring woodland flower in our area. It grows in the dappled sunlight under trees before they leaf out and prefers moist to slightly dry rich soil with decaying leaves. This perennial is about 3-10" tall, producing from its rootstock basal leaves and a single flowering stalk with a whorl of 3 leaves. Each leaf is up to 3" long and across with 3-5 narrow shaprply-tipped lobes with deep teeth along the margins. The stalk terminates in a cluster of white flowers on stems with a floppy appearance. Each flower is about ½" across with 4 white petals.
Cutleaf Toothwort at Baker Woods Forest Preserve April 3, 2007
Cutleaf Toothwort at Baker Woods Forest Preserve April 3, 2007
Cutleaf Toothwort at Pickerill/Pigott Forest Preserve April 19, 2007
Cutleaf Toothwort foliage at Baker Woods Forest Preserve April 3, 2007
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