// SPECIES PROFILE · PERENNIAL · NATIVE

American bitter cress

Cardamine rotundifolia

American bitter cress (Cardamine rotundifolia) is a perennial in the — family. Native range includes MO — verified against the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center native distribution database. Hardy in zones 3a–9a. Mature size 1"–20". Blooms Apr–Jun.

// QUICK FACTS

Family: —
Group: perennial
Native range: Native to 12 U.S. states, including DE, KY, MD, MO, NC, NJ…
USDA hardiness: Zones 3a–9a
Mature size: 1"–20"
Sun: —
Water: —
Bloom: Apr–Jun
Wildlife value: Pollinator and wildlife support
Ecological role: native species profile

American bitter cress (Cardamine rotundifolia) — *Cardamine rotundifolia* — American bitter cress. Photo by Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 2: 187. Courtesy of Kentucky Native Plant Society. Scanned by Omnitek Inc via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain).

Field Notes

[ growing · ecology · siting · care ]

Why it's on this list: native species profile. Native-range data from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (NPIN), cross-checked against iNaturalist observations. Part of Rooted Revival's regional native plant catalog — true natives for Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas.

Companion Planting

[ guild · polyculture · cross-layer pairings ]

In the same native range, american bitter cress pairs naturally with: Broadleaf Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia), Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium), Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis).