Cardamine rotundifolia - American Water Cress

Family:	Cruciferae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.3
Width:	0.5
Synonyms:
Range:	Eastern N. America - New York to Ohio, Missouri, North Carolina and Kentucky.

Cardamine rotundifolia (American Water Cress) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.3m and a width of 0.5m . It has a hardness rating of 6.
American Water Cress will flower in October to February. the seeds ripen from November to March
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees, flies, lepidoptera

Soil Information

American Water Cress will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
American Water Cress prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

American Water Cress can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Cold springs and brooksides[43, 235].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Is a pond plant
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most soils so long as they are not dry[1]. Grows wild in shallow water[235]. Prefers a moist humus rich soil in shade or semi-shade[200]. A mat-forming stoloniferous species[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Leaves - raw or cooked[105. 161, 177]. A hot water-cress like flavour[2, K].

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 weeks at 15°c[175]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame for the first two years, planting them out when dormant in late summer. Division in early spring or after the plant dies down in the summer. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Gray's Manual of Botany.
Fernald. M. L.
Author: Fernald. M. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
Date of Publication : 1950

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada
Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Author: Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Reprint of a 1913 Flora, but still a very useful book.
Date of Publication : 1970

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