Large Bitter-Cress

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Large Bitter-Cress

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cardamine amara is fundamentally defined by its preference for riparian environments, specifically thriving in the moist, saturated soils found along the margins of rivers. This species occupies niche habitats characterized by high water availability and periodic inundation, which are typical of riverbank ecosystems. By colonizing these fluvial zones, the plant benefits from the nutrient-rich alluvial deposits frequently redistributed by flowing water. Its presence is often indicative of stable, damp microclimates where the soil moisture remains consistent, allowing it to compete effectively within the specialized vegetation communities that line freshwater corridors.

Habitat :

rivers

Life history

The life history of Cardamine amarilla is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or soil cover during unfavorable periods. This species maintains an evergreen nature, retaining its foliage to support continuous metabolic processes throughout its developmental stages.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

Morphologically, Cardamine amara is characterized as a non-woody herb with a growth form consistent with a forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, and it grows independently rather than acting as a parasite. The species is primarily terrestrial in its habitat, not exhibiting aquatic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant maintains a relatively low profile, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.6 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 0.242 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Plant height mean:

0.242 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cardamine amara is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in its typical temperate habitats. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, relying entirely on soil-based nutrient uptake rather than the capture of prey. Morphologically, its foliage displays a mean leaf size of approximately 25.15333 cm², contributing to its overall photosynthetic capacity. Furthermore, the plant possesses a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 439.5 cm²/g, a physiological metric that reflects the investment in leaf tissue density relative to surface area and influences its light-use efficiency and water-loss regulation.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

25.15333 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

439.5 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cardamine amarum is characterized by a sexual reproductive cycle that relies on biotic pollination mechanisms. The flowering period typically begins in May and concludes in June. During this time, the plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically attracting insects with a focus on bees to facilitate pollen transfer. While self-fertilization is present within the species, ensuring reproductive success even in isolation, the plant does not engage in asexual reproduction. The resulting fruit is a capsule that is dehiscent, meaning it opens at maturity to release its contents. The seeds are quite small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.000258 g, and they are distributed via an autochorous dispersal syndrome, where the plant employs its own mechanisms to eject or disperse the seeds.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass mean:

0.000258 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cardamine amara has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Glucosinolates.

Glucosinolates

1. PloS one