Brasicaceae, the mustard family.
Description:
Plant:
A single stem with a cluster of white to pink four-petaled flowers
above a whorl of three deeply cut leaves, 8"-16" high.
Growing in groups from toothed rhizomes.
Perennial.
Flowers:
White to pink, about 3/4", with four elongated petals arranged as a cross,
in a loose terminal cluster a raceme).
Leaves:
Deeply cleft into several toothed lobes, arranged in a whorl of three below
the single terminal cluster of flowers.
Fruit:
Blooming:
April-May
Habitat:
Lowland wooded areas.
Comments:
This is one of the earliest flowers to appear in the spring.
The name toothwort refers to the toothed appearance of the underground rhizomes.
A couple other species occur in our area, most easily distinguished by
the leaves.
This species is also known as dentaria laciniata, which
appears to be an older name.
Where to find it:
Appears in abundance in early spring in the wooded area of the park.
The most common woodland flower by far.