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Img 1. ..Toothwort -
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Img 2. Toothwort -
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Img 3.. Toothwort
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CLICK PICTURES FOR LARGER VIEW
Two-leafed Toothwort is perennial and grows to a height of 8 - 16 inches,
from a long rhizome. The rhizome is brown, and not jointed. (see image 7)
This Toothwort shoots up a main stem with two opposite leaf stems and a flower
stem continuing on above. Each leaf stem has a deeply divided 3-part leaf
(not a compound leaf). Each of the parts appears as an individual deeply
toothed leaf that develops to about 3 inches long and 3/4 inches wide. A
third leaf stem with a 3-part leaf grows from the flower stem slightly above
the first opposite stem pair. Numerous flowers are produced. on racemes at
the top of the flower stem. The flowers open at staggered times and therefore
prolong the blooming season. The flowers have four petals, other parts that
are characteristic of the Mustard family. Image 1 shows the stamen and pistil
arrangement typical of the mustard plant family. This is one of the early
flowering plants, blooming throughout March and into early April. The plants
disappear by May. A related plant found in Alabama is the Cut-leaf Toothwort,
Cardamine concartenata. This plant has a similar flower but has leaf stems
growing in a whorl and has a white jointed rhizome.
More Toothwort Images
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