Cardamine lyrata aka Chinese Ivy

Cardamine lyrata is a perennial in the mustard family, Brassicaceae. Its native range spans southern Siberia, China, Korea, and Japan. It grows in temperate parts of Asia. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. In central and southern Japan, it grows in wet ground. Its habitats there include rice fields in lowlands and foothills. These sites reflect its need for soil that stays damp.

The plant reaches about 1.6 feet [0.5 metres] in height. It forms stolons, which are stems that spread along the ground. This gives it a means of spreading beyond its first planting spot. Plants For A Future does not flag it as weedy. It flowers from May to June. Each flower has both male and female organs. Bees, flies, butterflies, and moths pollinate the flowers. The plant is also self-fertile. Seeds ripen over a longer period, from May through September.

In gardens, it suits bog beds and damp, shaded sites. It prefers soil rich in humus and shade or partial shade. Plants For A Future also lists it as able to grow in sun. It accepts sandy soil, loam, and clay. It also tolerates mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline soil. Moist to wet ground meets its stated soil moisture needs. The source lists USDA hardiness zones 6–9. Its separate UK zone 7 entry is not an RHS hardiness rating.

Grow new plants from seed or by dividing established clumps. Sow seeds in a cold frame during spring. At 15°C, germination takes about one to three weeks. Move seedlings into separate pots once large enough to handle. Keep them in light shade under cover for their first two years. Plant them out while dormant in late summer. Divide plants in early spring or after summer dieback. Large divisions can go straight into their final sites. Keep smaller divisions in pots until they root well.

The leaves and roots are edible, either raw or cooked. Plants For A Future gives their food value two out of five. It reports no known hazards, but this does not establish pet safety. It lists no known medicinal uses or other uses. The supplied evidence gives no species-specific pest or disease details.