Species Little Western Bittercress
white flowers with yellow stamens, lime center, green leaves and stems

Little Western Bittercress

Cardamine oligosperma

Little Western Bittercress, also known as Cardamine oligosperma, is a small, short-lived herb found in grasslands, meadows, open woods and disturbed sites. The plant has white petals that form a star-like pattern. The fruits of the plant are long, thin, flattened pods, and the leaves are compound and feathery, consisting of several leaflets. It is also referred to as a weed sometimes, although it is actually edible and consumed both fresh and cooked. In addition, its roots have medicinal values and are used in the treatment of skin diseases, wounds, boils and some other skin infections.

Watering:

Minimal

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,red

Growth Rate:

Low

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

watering

For Little Western Bittercress, it requires very little watering. During the summer months when the temperatures are warmer, water the plant about once a week, making sure to saturate the soil. In the winter, water only every 2 to 3 weeks. During periods of rainfall, the plant should be watered less, but check the soil to make sure it is not drying out. Avoid overwatering, as this can cause root rot and other problems.

sunlight

Little Western Bittercress (Cardamine oligosperma) prospers in full sun. During the spring and summer months, provide the plant with at least 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. In winter, when the sun is weaker and there are fewer hours, it still needs 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight each day.

pruning

Little Western Bittercress (Cardamine oligosperma) should be pruned in late spring to early summer, typically during the months of May or June. This species should not be pruned heavily, as it is a short-lived perennial. Pruning should consist of removing dead or damaged branches and stems, thinning out the plant in order to promote better air circulation, and controlling the size of the plant with light pruning as needed. In addition, it is important to remove any seedheads in order to prevent self-seeding. As this species can spread easily, it is important to dispose of any pruned debris away from the garden to ensure that the plant does not become an unwelcome weed.