Narrow-leaf bittercress (Cardamine impatiens, Sp. pl. 2:655. 1753)

Family: Brassicaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. pl. 2:655. 1753

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cardamine

Vegetable: False

Observations: Temp. Eurasia

Description

The Narrow-leaf bittercress, known scientifically as Cardamine impatiens, is a notable member of the Brassicaceae family. This plant, first documented by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work ‘Species Plantarum’ published in 1753, has a historical significance in the study of botany.

Native to temperate regions of Eurasia, Cardamine impatiens thrives in a variety of habitats, often found flourishing in moist, shady environments such as forest underbrush and alongside streams. It is characterized by its slender, lobed leaves which distinguish it from other species within the genus Cardamine.

The Narrow-leaf bittercress plays a vital role in its ecosystem, contributing to the biodiversity and the health of the soil. Due to its adaptability, it has also become a subject of interest for studies on plant migration and habitat expansion. The plant’s delicate white flowers bloom in the spring and early summer, providing nourishment for local pollinators.

Overall, Cardamine impatiens stands out not just for its unique narrow leaves but also as a resilient species well-adapted to its native habitat. Its study offers insights into plant evolution, ecological interactions, and the effects of climate on species distribution.

Common Names

Dan: kronløs karse, kronløs springklap
Eng: narrow-leaf bittercress, narrow-leaved bitter-cress, narrowleaf bittercress, narrow-leaved bittercress, touch-me-not bittercress
Deu: spring-schaumkraut, springschaumkraut
Fra: cardamine impatiente
Swe: lehtolitukka, lundbräsma
Fin: lehtolitukka
Nob: lundkarse
Nno: lundkarse
Nld: springzaadveldkers
Sme: rohtosuorbmagoahti
Cym: berw chwerw â deilen gul, berwr chwerw culddail, chwerw culddail
En: Narrow-leaf bittercress, Narrowleaf bittercress, Bushy rock-cress, European bitter cress, Narrow-leaved Bittercress, Narrow-leaved bitter-cress, Touch-me-not bittercress
Be: Буйміна незачэпа
Bg: Нежна горва
Zh: 弹裂碎米荠, 水花菜
Cs: Řeřišnice nedůtklivá
Da: Kronløs karse, Kronløs springklap
Nl: Springzaadveldkers
Eo: Kardamino dissalta
Et: Mets-jürilill
Fi: Lehtolitukka
Fr: Cardamine impatiente, Cardamine irritable, Herbe au Diable, Cardamine impatiens
De: Spring-Schaumkraut, Springschaumkraut
It: Billeri comune
Ja: Ja-ninjin
Se: Rohtosuorbmagoahti
No: Lundkarse
Nb: Lundkarse
Nn: Lundkarse
Pl: Rzeżucha niecierpkowa
Sv: Lundbräsma, Lehtolitukka
Zh-tw: 水花菜
Zh-hant: 彈裂碎米薺
Cy: Berwr chwerw culddail, Berw Chwerw â Deilen Gul, Chwerw Culddail

Synonyms

• Cardamine impatiens var. obtusifolia (Knaf)
• Cardamine apetala (Gilib.)
• Cardamine basisagittata (W.T.Wang)
• Cardamine impatiens var. pilosa (O.E.Schulz)
• Cardamine senanensis (Franch. & Sav.)
• Cardamine impatiens var. minor (Rouy & Foucaud)
• Ghinia impatiens (Bubani)
• Cardamine miyabei (Matsum.)
• Cardamine impatiens var. acutifolia (Knaf)
• Cardamine impatiens var. dasycarpa ((M.Bieb.) T.Y.Cheo & R.C.Fang)
• Cardamine impatiens var. tenuissima (Honda)
• Cardamine hirsuta var. umbrosa (Lecoq & Lamotte)
• Cardamine dasycarpa (M.Bieb.)
• Cardamine impatiens var. patulipes (Rouy & Foucaud)
• Cardamine impatiens var. longipes (Hatus.)
• Cardamine impatiens var. angustifolia (O.E.Schulz)
• Cardamine saxatilis (Salisb.)
• Cardamine impatiens var. eriocarpa (DC.)
• Cardamine glaphyropoda var. crenata (T.Y.Cheo & R.C.Fang)
• Cardamine impatiens var. microphylla (O.E.Schulz)
• Cardamine nakaiana (H.Lév.)
• Cardamine impatiens f. humilis (Peterm.)
• Cardamine impatiens var. fumaria (H.Lév.)
• Crucifera impatiens (E.H.L.Krause)
• Cardamine glaphyropoda (O.E.Schulz)
• Cardamine hirsuta var. laxa (Rouy & Foucaud)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• India (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North European Russi (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)

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.

Leaf

Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2020 by Turgetto Vera (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2020 by Turgetto Vera (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 21, 2020 by Roß Tina (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2020 by Lukas ober (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 14, 2022 by Lars Wingqvist (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2022 by Lars Wingqvist (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2021 by Marko W (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 22, 2021 by Sebastien Konsbruck (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2021 by lecacheur marc (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 21, 2021 by knick knack (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2022 by Susan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2020 by Francois Mansour (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Henri SCORDIA (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 18, 2020 by Francois Mansour (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 11, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Gregoire Pernot du breuil (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 1, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu Sinet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Dominique REMAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2022 by Simon Simon (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − بيوإيماجز (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − بيوإيماجز (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − بيوإيماجز (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2021 by la melie des champs (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3046187)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:280391-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cardamine impatiens L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 5

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Soil nutriments: 6