Cardamine diphylla aka Crinkleroot

Cardamine diphylla is a small plant in the mustard family. It is a perennial, living for more than two years. Its names include crinkleroot and two-leaf toothwort. Its older name is Dentaria diphylla. It grows wild in eastern Canada and the United States. It lives in damp, rich woods and shaded meadows. Rhizomes, or stems beneath the soil, help it form patches. It rests in summer but covers ground in autumn and winter.

Upright spring shoots reach 0.67–1.33 feet (0.20–0.41 metres) tall. Plants span about 0.75–1 foot (0.23–0.30 metres) across. Each stem has two leaves. They sit opposite each other or a little offset. Each leaf has three oval leaflets with coarse teeth. The rootstock grows leaves of the same kind, often after bloom. Flower stems range from green to reddish. Fine hairs coat these stalks and their small branches.

White or pale pink flowers rise above the leaves. They grow in loose groups called racemes. Each flower has four petals that form a cross. North Carolina records blooms from mid-April to mid-May. Chicago records later blooms, from May through June. Bees visit the flowers to gather pollen. Long, narrow pods called siliquas may form next. The plant rarely makes seeds. Dry pods split and shed brown seeds. Seedlings can take three to four years to flower.

Grow this plant in rich, moist loam that drains well. It suits soil that is a little acid and part shade. Chicago also lists full shade as a good choice. North Carolina warns against deep shade beneath evergreen trees. Both sources give USDA hardiness zones 4–8. This plant needs little care and suits borders in woods. It also suits groundcover where plants can spread and grow naturally. It can grow beneath flowering dogwood. Divide rootstocks with care while the plant rests. The rhizomes break with ease. Sow fresh seed soon after harvest. Stored seed loses its power to sprout. Keep the seedbed moist and shaded.

West Virginia white butterfly caterpillars feed on its leaves. The falcate orange-tip butterfly also uses it as a host. Flea beetles eat the leaves and may harm them. People eat the roots and leaves raw or cooked. Fresh roots taste sharp and peppery. People use them as a relish or in salads. Leaves can go into salads and soups. Plants For A Future reports no known hazards. Past records describe Cherokee use of root poultices for headaches. Poultices are packs placed on the body. These records show past use, not proof that treatment works.