New Zealand Bittercress Cardamine corymbosa
Previously known as:
- Cardamine corymbosa Hook. f.
- Phonetic Spelling
- kar-DA-mih-nee kor-rim-BOW-suh
- Description
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New Zealand Bittercress is a perennial weed that is a native of New Zealand. It has a widespread distribution in many of the nearby islands. It has been naturalized in Australia, North America, Great Britain, and western Europe. Reportedly, New Zealand Bittercresss was found in a container nursery in Wilkes County, North Carolina. They had received a shipment of plants from a wholesale nursery in Oregon. Most likely, it was a contaminant in a container-grown ornamental plant.
It is a member of the Brassicaceae or mustard family. The genus name, Cardamine is derived from the Greek word, "Kardamon," and translated means "cress." The species name, corymbosa, is from the Latin "corymb," which refers to the flower's inflorescence.
The plant appears wiry and fragile. It is very small and low growing. The roots are difficult to remove and uproot. Single white flowers appear on upright stems from a basal rosette of bright green leaves. Seedpods arise at the top of the stem and burst open to release the seeds. When found, it is best to remove the plant as soon as possible to prevent further spread. They can flower and mature in just a few weeks.
The New Zealand Bittercress is spread via horticultural contaminant. It may be found in naturalized paths, cultivated areas, crevices, ledges, stream banks, forests, and forest margins. It may also be found in lawns, potted plants, and ornamental gardens. It is a costly weed for container nurseries.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cardamine
- Species:
- corymbosa
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tasmania, New Zealand, Macquarie Islands
- Distribution:
- Native to Antipodean Island, Chatham Island, Macquarie Island, New Zealand North, New Zealand South, and Tasmania. Introduced in Australia, Great Britain, western Europe, and United States--North Carolina and Oregon
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Weed
- Habit/Form:
- Prostrate
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- NC Region:
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Fruit Type:
- Siliqua
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The seedpods emerge from the flower before the petals have dropped. Siliqua is smooth. They appear green, and then at maturity appear purple-brownish color. When they dehisce, tiny light green to light yellow-brown seeds is released.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cross
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small, single, white, four-petaled flowers arise from the stems. They bloom from early spring to fall.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Obtuse
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The green leaves form a single flat rosette or short lateral branches. They are generally single, egg-shaped leaflet on a long petiole, and occasionally have a pair of smaller leaflets below. The leaves are glabrous to sparsely hairy.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- The stem for the flower is green and approximately 2-3 inches long.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Lawn
- Slope/Bank
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Problems:
- Weedy
