The cut-leafed toothwort or pepper root is a native perennial wildflower found in the woodlands of eastern Canada and the central and eastern United States. It is a member of the mustard family (Brassicaceae). The genus name is Greek for "Kardamon" and translated means "cress." The species name is Latin and translated means "linked together in a chain" referring to the rhizomes appearing to link like a string of beads. The common name, Pepper Root, refers to the spicy and radish flavor of the rhizomes. The name cut-leafed toothwort refers to the toothlike projections of its underground stems. It typically grows in rich soil that is moist and well-drained and can tolerate some seasonal flooding.The Cut-leafed Toothwort is propagated via seed or rhizomes. The seeds lose viability quickly when stored. It is best to sow the seeds immediately after collection. Seedlings bloom in 3-4 years. The rhizomes are fragile, and it is best to divide them when the plant is dormant The flowers appear as terminal clusters of four cross-shaped petals blooming atop the stem before the leaves appear. Long, slender, green podsfollow and release 10-14 small seeds. The plant produces basal leaves and stem leaves that are deeply cut into three lobes. The Cut-leafed Toothwort combines well in perennial or woodland gardens to provide early spring interest. When the plant goes dormant in the summer other perennials will step in to cover for the toothwort. The plant would add interest to any informal or cottage gardens. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems More information on Cardamine .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 3 in. | Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low; Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Fine
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Whorled
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Dentate
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The plant has a rosette of basal leaves on the unbranched stem. In the middle of each stem, there is a whorl of three sharply toothed, lance-shaped leaves. Each leaf is about 3 inches long and wide. The leaves are grayish-green to medium green and deeply cleft into 3-5 narrow lobes. They have dentate teeth along the margins and appear nearly opposite of each other. The leaves turn yellow before the plant goes dormant during the summer.
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Bell; Cross
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
In the early spring, the flowers bloom as terminal clusters of four white cross-shaped petals atop the erect stem. Tinges of pink or lavender may be seen on the petals. They have 4 sepals and 6 stamens. The flower's diameter is 3/4 inch. Blooming typically occurs in early spring from March to May before the deciduous trees have leafed out. The blooming period is about 2 weeks.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Green
Fruit type
Siliqua
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
After flowering, erect, elongated, pod-like siliques and are about 1 inch long. The pod splits open about 4-5 weeks after blooming. Each siliqua contains 10-14 small, brown, flat, ovoid-shaped seeds.
Stem color
Gray/Silver; Green
Stem detail
The erect stem rises directly from the rhizomes and is grayish-green to medium green in color. The stem is glabrous to slightly pubescent. The flower appears at the terminal end of the stem. The stem is unbranched and has a whorl of leaves just above the middle of the stem.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
East Canada, Central and Eastern United States
Distribution
Canada--Ontario and Quebec; United States--AL, AR, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, ME, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NE, NH, NJ, NC, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV
Wildlife value
The plant is a food source for the white-footed mouse. The nectar of the flowers attracts honey bees and bumblebees. Some early butterflies may also be attracted to the flower for its nectar. The caterpillars of the Mustard White and the West Virginia White butterfly use the foliage as a food source.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Pollinators; Specialized Bees
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Roots
Harvest time
Spring
Fruit type
Siliqua
Edibility
The roots of the plant are spicy and have a radish flavor. They may be sliced and used in salads.
Uses (ethnobotany)
The Iroquois Indians used this plant for food and ate the roots either raw or boiled. The plant was also used for medical treatment, including heart conditions, colds, headaches, and stomach pains.