Alpine bittercress (Cardamine bellidifolia, Sp. Pl.: 654 (1753))

Family: Brassicaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 654 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cardamine

Vegetable: False

Observations: N. & E. Europe to Russian Far East, Subarctic America to N. & W. U.S.A.

Description

Alpine bittercress, known scientifically as Cardamine bellidifolia, is a resilient and intriguing member of the Brassicaceae family, thriving in a range of subarctic and alpine environments. This hardy perennial is widely distributed, spanning from Northern and Eastern Europe to the Russian Far East and extending to Subarctic America. It has even established populations in the northern and western reaches of the United States.

First documented in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, the species is noted for its ability to adapt to the harsh conditions typical of subarctic and alpine regions. Alpine bittercress is characterized by its delicate, white flowers and toothed leaves, which collectively form a rosette close to the ground, helping to protect it from the cold winds and occasional frosts of its native habitats.

A fascinating aspect of Cardamine bellidifolia is its ecological role in these extreme environments. As a part of the Brassicaceae family, Alpine bittercress contributes to the biodiversity and stability of the ecosystems it inhabits. This species often grows in moist, rocky soils, benefiting from the nutrient-rich substrates provided by melting snow and periodic rainfall in its native areas.

In addition to its ecological importance, Alpine bittercress serves as a subject for botanical study due to its unique adaptations. The plant’s ability to thrive in such diverse and challenging climates makes it an excellent model for understanding resilience and adaptation in plant species. Whether forming part of an intricate alpine meadow or nestled among the rocks of a subarctic landscape, Cardamine bellidifolia exemplifies the tenacity and beauty of flora that flourish against the odds.

Moreover, its broad distribution offers a testament to its evolutionary success, reflecting the intricate balance of survival tactics employed by plant species in response to environmental pressures. For botanists and plant enthusiasts alike, Alpine bittercress is a remarkable species that showcases the splendor and adaptability of nature’s most tenacious vegetation.

Common Names

Eng: alpine bittercress, alpine cress
Nor: fjeldkarse
Swe: fjällbräsma, tunturilitukka
Nno: høgfjellskarse
Nob: høyfjellskarse
Fin: tunturilitukka
Fra: cardamine à feuilles de pâquerette, cardamine alpine
En: Alpine bittercress, Alpine cress
Fi: Tunturilitukka
Fr: Cardamine à feuilles de pâquerette, Cardamine alpine
No: Fjeldkarse
Nb: Høyfjellskarse
Nn: Høgfjellskarse
Sv: Fjällbräsma, Tunturilitukka

Synonyms

• Cardamine bellidifolia var. typica (Abrom.)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Aleutian Is. (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Austria (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• California (native)
• Chita (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Maine (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Québec (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Spain (native)
• Svalbard (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 23, 2020 by stefano (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2022 by Louise Fulchiron (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2019 by myriam pied (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2018 by Étienne Fournery (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2021 by Elzet Dental (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 12, 2022 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 28, 2015 by EOL − M. Goff (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Oct 16, 1998 by EOL − Charles Webber (cc-by-nc-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 13, 2020 by Thomas Masclaux (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2019 by myriam pied (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2019 by myriam pied (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2022 by sun shine (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2018 by Étienne Fournery (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3046155)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:280178-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cardamine bellidifolia L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 5.5

Ph minimum: 5.0

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Bloom months: [‘jul’, ‘aug’]

Soil nutriments: 4