Dentaria laciniata Willd. - Toothwort, Pepper Root


 

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Dentaria laciniata - (image 1 of 6)

 

Taxonomy

Family: Brassicaceae

Habitat

Mesic woods.

Associates

Woody associates: Acer saccharum, Fraxinus americana, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Prunus serotina, Prunus virginiana, Quercus rubra, Ribes missouriense, Sambucus canadensis, Tilia americana, Ulmus americana, Vitis riparia.

Distribution

 

Morphology

Herbaceous perennial. Leaves whorled, normally 3, each with 3 deeply lobed segments. Leaf segments linear-oblong to lanceolate. Flowers white to pale lavender, petals 4. Fruit a silique.

Notes

Flowers mid March to late May

Wetland indicator: Facultative Upland

Plants grows from a shallow, segmented, whitish rhizome that has a pungent taste. Can be mixed with salt and vinegar as a substitute for horseradish or eaten raw.

 


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 Michael Hough © 2004