Cardamine amara

Cardamine amarra, commonly known as bitter rocket, is a perennial herb belonging to the Brassicaceae family. Native to Europe and parts of Asia, this plant is distinguished by its pungent, bitter flavor and small white flowers. Traditionally, it has been utilized in folk medicine for its various therapeutic properties.

  • Scientific name: Cardamine amara
  • Family: Brassicaceae
  • Native range: Europe

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified within the order Brassicales and the family Brassicaceae. Specifically, the species Cardamine amara is identified under the genus Cardamine.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Brassicales WCVP
Family Brassicaceae WCVP
Genus Cardamine WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Cardamine amara, is referred to by various common names across different languages and regions. In German, it is called Bitteres Schaumkraut, while in Polish, it is known as Rzeżucha gorzka. Russian speakers call it Сердечник горький, and in the Kashubian language, it is identified as Górka žerlina. Additionally, in Lithuanian, the plant is commonly known as Karčioji kartenė.
Language Common Name Source
de Bitteres Schaumkraut Wikidata
pl Rzeżucha gorzka Wikidata
ru Сердечник горький Wikidata
dsb Górka žerlina Wikidata
lt Karčioji kartenė Wikidata
hu keserű kakukktorma Wikidata
fi purolitukka Wikidata
hsb Hórka žerchwica Wikidata
sv bäckbräsma Wikidata
nb Bekkekarse Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the northern regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing within the borders of Denmark. The species also inhabits the landscapes of Finland and Norway. Furthermore, its range extends to the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. These locations define its primary geographical presence throughout the northern territories.

Region Area Source
Northern Europe Denmark WCVP
Northern Europe Finland WCVP
Northern Europe Great Britain WCVP
Northern Europe Ireland WCVP
Northern Europe Norway WCVP
Northern Europe Sweden WCVP
Middle Europe Austria WCVP
Middle Europe Belgium WCVP
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia WCVP
Middle Europe Germany WCVP

Chemicals

Cardamine amara has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include glucosinolates.

Total chemicals
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
glucosinolates 1 ★☆☆☆☆