Cardamine oligosperma
few-seeded bittercress, little western bittercress
Specimens
Photos

Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington, but more common west of the crest; Alaska to California, east to the Rocky Mountains.

Habitat: Widespread, but mostly in seasonally wet, open or forested areas.

Flowers: March-July

Origin: Native

Growth Duration: Annual, Biennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Bees, flies

Description:
General:

Annual or biennial herb from a taproot, the 1-several stems 1-4 dm. tall, usually freely-branched, sub-glabrous or with short, stiff hairs.

Leaves:

Leaves alternate, numerous, basal and cauline, pinnate, the lateral leaflets 4-10, obovate to ovate or sub-orbicular, 3-20 mm. long, entire or with a few rounded teeth or lobes, the terminal leaflet considerably larger; all pubescent as the stem.

Flowers:

Inflorescence of several-flowered racemes, usually bractless, but sometimes the lower flowers bracteate; pedicles 5-15 mm. long, ascending-erect; sepals 4, 1-2 mm. long, the outer pair saccate at the base; petals 4, white, 2-4 mm. long; stamens 6; style under 0.5 mm. long.

Fruits:

Siliques linear, erect, 1.5-2.5 cm. long and 1.2-1.5 mm. broad; seeds 15-22, in 1 series.

Accepted Name:
Cardamine oligosperma Nutt.
Publication: Fl. N. Amer. 1: 85. 1838.

Synonyms & Misapplications:
Cardamine oligosperma Nutt. var. oligosperma [HC]
Additional Resources:

PNW Herbaria: Specimen records of Cardamine oligosperma in the Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria database

WA Flora Checklist: Cardamine oligosperma checklist entry

OregonFlora: Cardamine oligosperma information

E-Flora BC: Cardamine oligosperma atlas page

CalPhotos: Cardamine oligosperma photos

18 photographs:
Group by