CUT-LEAVED DENTARIA 



to have made its way westward to the Pacific coast. 

 In general appearance it is the same as our native 

 Cresses but has perhaps a larger and more showy 

 flower. The light, graceful growth and the pinnately 

 divided foliage give the plant a distinct charm. In 

 ancient times it was considered a valuable remedy in 

 heart-disease, so Linnaeus gave it the name Carddmine, 

 signifying heart-strengthening. Its showy flower and 

 abundant nectar invite many insect visitors. 



•^ CUT-LEAVED DENTARIA. PEPPER-ROOT 



Dentdria laciniata 



Perennial. Moist ground in open woods. Nova Scotia, 

 Ontario, Minnesota, southward to the Carolinas, Louisi- 

 ana, and Kansas. Abundant in northern Ohio. April, 

 May. 



Rootstock. — Edible, not toothed, rather constricted in 

 places, suggesting a string of beads, deeper seated than 

 that of the Crinkle-Root. 



Stem-leaves. — Borne on the stem in a whorl of three, 

 compounded of three leaflets; leaflets cut and toothed, the 

 side ones deeply cut, so that apparently there are five 

 leaflets; root-leaves late in appearing, similar to the stem- 

 leaves. 



Flowers. — White or pale rose-pink, of the type called 

 crucifer, half an inch across, borne in a loose terminal 

 cluster. 



Calyx. — Sepals four, the two outer narrow. 



Corolla. — Petals four, white or pink, arranged in the 

 form of a cross, with short claws. 



Stamens. — Six, two shorter than the others, which are of 

 the same height. 



Pistil. — One; ovary two-celled; style slender. 



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