Family: Brassicaceae
Cardamine
Citation:
L., Bitter cresses.
Derivation: Greek cardia, heart; damas, to subdue; referring to medicinal properties of a cress-like plant.
Synonymy: Not Applicable Common name: None
Description:
Annual or perennial herbs, glabrous or with simple hairs; leaves usually less than 10 cm long.
Sepals slightly spreading, equal or nearly so; petals clawed; stamens 4 or 6; median glands present.
Siliqua dehiscent, replum margin ranged, valves release from the base like a clock spring, mid-vein not conspicuous; seeds in 1 row; radicle accumbent.
Distribution:
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160 species with mainly a temperate distribution. In Australia there are 2 introduced species and several endemic taxa which require further research for taxonomic resolution.
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Biology:
No text
Key to Species:
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1. Vegetative parts hirsute (usually sparsely) with long straight hairs |
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2. Most flowers with 4 stamens |
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C. hirsuta 3. |
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2. Most flowers with 6 stamens |
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C. flexuosa 1. |
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1. Vegetative parts, if hairy, not with long straight hairs |
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3. Plants semi-aquatic; leaves reducing to filiform |
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C. tenuifolia 5. |
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3. Plants mostly terrestrial; leaves not filiform |
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4. Petals up to 4 mm long |
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C. paucijuga 4. |
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4. Petals 4 mm or more long |
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C. gunnii 2. |
Author:
Not yet available
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