The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Species

Cardamine forsteri

Etymology

Cardamine: From the Greek name kárdamon, referring to an Indian spice

Common Name(s)

bittercress

Authority

Cardamine forsteri Govaerts

Family

Brassicaceae

Brief Description

An erect perennial herb arising from single rosette or several rosettes with short lateral branches. Leaves deeply lobed; moderately hairy to hairless. hairs, if present, retrorse; Inflorescence a simple raceme or branched, each raceme being 3–6-flowered. Petals narrow (cf. many other Cardamine species), 3.0–4.5 × 0.7–1.4 mm, white. Siliques ('seed pods') hairless to moderately hairy; hairs retrorse.

Flora Category

Vascular -

Structural Class

Dicotyledonous Herbs other than Composites

Synonyms

Was once included under the name of C debilis as Cardamine "Narrow Petal".

Distribution

Widespread in New Zealand

Similar Taxa

Many Cardamine species are superficially similar. Heenan (2017) notes "The presence of axillary leaflet hydathodes is an important character of C. forsteri. However, their presence can vary as they are caducous and so careful searching of the leaf axils is often needed to locate persistent hydathodes, especially on older leaves." C. forsteri also resembles the exotic C. hirsuta and can grow with it in disturbed sites. C. hirsuta flowers usually have 4 stamens rather than 6.

Flower Colours

White

Endemic Taxon

Yes

Endemic Genus

No

Endemic Family

No

This page last updated on 27 Oct 2019