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Cardamine californica  (Nutt.) Greene
California toothwort,   milkmaids
© 2020 Barbara Peck
© 2019 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2019 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2018 Lynn Sweet
© 2020 Cynthia Powell
© 2023 Mary Ann Machi
© 2018 James Gonsman
© 2018 James Gonsman
© 2021 Dee Shea Himes
© 2019 Mary Conway
© 2024 Mike Russler
© 2024 Mike Russler
© 2024 Mike Russler
© 2015 Garth Wadsworth
© 2014 James Gonsman
© 2014 James Gonsman
© 2021 Janice Kuch
© 2018 Suzanne L. Weakley
© 2021 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2014 BOB CASE
© 2023 Mary Ann Machi
© 2023 Mary Ann Machi
© 2023 Austin Parnow
© 2018 Diane Etchison
© 2019 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2025 Mike Russler
© 2021 R.A. Chasey
Cardamine californica is a perennial herb that is native to California, and also found elsewhere in western North America.
Siskiyou Del Norte Modoc Humboldt Shasta Lassen Trinity Plumas Tehama Butte Mendocino Glenn Sierra Yuba Lake Nevada Colusa Placer Sutter El Dorado Yolo Alpine Napa Sonoma Sacramento Mono Amador Solano Calaveras Tuolumne San Joaquin Marin Contra Costa Alameda Santa Cruz Mariposa Madera San Francisco San Mateo Merced Fresno Stanislaus Santa Clara Inyo San Benito Tulare Kings Monterey San Bernardino San Luis Obispo Kern Santa Barbara Ventura Los Angeles Riverside Orange San Diego Imperial
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Bloom Period
Genus: Cardamine
Family: Brassicaceae  
Category: angiosperm  
PLANTS group:Dicot
Jepson eFlora section: eudicot

Habitat: streambanks, slopes

Communities: Redwood Forest, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Northern Oak Woodland, Foothill Woodland, Coastal Prairie, many plant communities

Name Status:
Accepted by JEF + PLANTS + POWO

Alternate Names:
JEFCardamine californica var. californica
JEFCardamine californica var. cardiophylla
JEFCardamine californica var. cuneata
JEFCardamine californica var. integrifolia
JEFCardamine californica var. sinuata
More …
Information about  Cardamine californica from other sources
Nursery availability from CNPLX
Commercial availability unknown.
Jepson eFlora

USDA PLANTS Profile (CACA39)

Photos on Calflora

Photos on CalPhotos

Google Images

Photos on iNaturalist

ID Tips on PlantID.net

[Wikipedia] Flower Behavior: The flowers are borne on a raceme inflorescence, each flower about 1/2 inch in diameter with four white to pink petals. The flower closes its petals in late afternoon as the sun goes down and nods its pedicel before a rain, protecting the pollen. (link added by Mary Ann Machi)


Suggested Citation
Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and conservation, with data contributed by public and private institutions and individuals. [web application]. 2025. The Calflora Database [a non-profit organization]. Available: https://www.calflora.org/   (Accessed: 03/30/2025).