Drooping bittercress (Cardamine enneaphyllos, Cl. Crucif. Emend.: 127 (1769))

Family: Brassicaceae

Author: (L.) Crantz

Bibliography: Cl. Crucif. Emend.: 127 (1769)

Year: 1769

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cardamine

Vegetable: False

Observations: EC. & SE. Europe

Description

The Drooping bittercress, scientifically known as Cardamine enneaphyllos, is a captivating perennial herb that belongs to the Brassicaceae family. Formally described by botanist Heinrich Johann Nepomuk von Crantz in his work Cl. Crucif. Emend. in 1769, this plant encapsulates the delicate beauty and biodiversity of the Cruciferae.

Native to the ecological regions of Eastern and Southeastern Europe, Drooping bittercress thrives in a variety of habitats, from moist deciduous forests to shaded mountain meadows. Its adaptability allows it to flourish in rich, well-drained soils, often carpeting forest floors with its distinctive foliage and blooms.

This species is characterized by its nodding white or pale yellow flowers, which emerge in the spring, creating a soft visual contrast against the broader, leafier vegetation of its surroundings. The flowers are structured in such a way that they form a drooping or pendulous cluster, a feature that both gives the plant its common name and contributes to its delicate aesthetic.

The basal leaves of Cardamine enneaphyllos are divided into multiple leaflets, typically ranging in groups of nine, which can create an eye-catching display of lush green cover. As part of the mustard family, Brassicaceae, the plant also exhibits the characteristic pod-like seed dispersal system, which aids in its proliferation across suitable habitats.

Observations across its native range in Europe indicate that the Drooping bittercress is not only a plant of ecological importance but also one of cultural significance. In various parts of Europe, it has been noted for its use in traditional herbal remedies, though it is more commonly appreciated for its ornamental value in gardens where a natural woodland setting is desired.

Overall, Cardamine enneaphyllos stands as a testament to the rich botanical diversity found across Europe’s landscapes. Its delicate flowers and robust foliage make it a plant of interest for botanists, gardeners, and nature enthusiasts alike, ensuring that its presence is both celebrated and preserved.

Common Names

Deu: quirlblättrige zahnwurz
En: Drooping Bittercress
De: Neunblatt-Zahnwurz, Quirl-Zahnwurz, Quirlblättrige Zahnwurz, Sanigl, Weiße Zahnwurz
It: Dentaria a nove foglie
Es: Deveterolistna konopnica
: Drooping bittercress

Synonyms

• Cardamine enneaphyllos var. simplicifolia (O.E.Schulz)
• Cardamine enneaphyllos f. angustisecta ((Glaab) O.E.Schulz)
• Cardamine enneaphylla (W.T.Aiton)
• Crucifera enneaphyllos ((L.) E.H.L.Krause)
• Cardamine enneaphyllos var. alternifolia ((Hausm.) O.E.Schulz)
• Turritis enneaphyllos (Scop. ex Steud.)
• Dentaria enneaphyllos (L.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Germany (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Italy (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken May 28, 2020 by Sharon Grötsch (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 10, 2022 by Helga Kautsch (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 31, 2020 by Beer Horst (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 28, 2022 by Michele Lussignoli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 5, 2022 by Lucia Zuccotto (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Mar 28, 2021 by Stefan Kamps (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2019 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2021 by Jani Zadrgal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2022 by Matt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2022 by kat.arinka (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 5, 2020 by jack (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2020 by Werner Rom (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2022 by Vornholt Peter (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2021 by Candida Bevilacqua (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2021 by Jani Zadrgal (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 8, 2022 by Jani Zadrgal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 11, 2021 by Lennaert Steen (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2021 by Rupert Lorenzer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2021 by Michael Andresek (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2021 by zdk (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 1, 2019 by Boris Turk (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3046224)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:280291-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cardamine enneaphyllos (L.) Crantz)

Specifications

Growth