Cardamine quinquefolia (Turkish Form)

Toothwort Brassicaceae

A rather choice member of the toothwort group, Cardamine quinquefolia is a spring-flowering, rhizomatous perennial forming spreading colonies of handsome divided foliage, followed by masses of violet to purple flowers. It is particularly effective in light woodland or beneath deciduous shrubs, where it flowers before the canopy closes and then retreats underground for summer. The RHS rates it H7 and recommends partial shade and humus-rich soil. 

This Turkish form has dark new growth in spring. Ex Pontic alps

Its natural range extends from south-eastern and eastern Europe through the Caucasus and Türkiye to northern Iran, including Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Crimea, southern European Russia, the North Caucasus and Transcaucasus. It is also recorded as introduced in Great Britain. 

Nomenclature: the species was originally described as Dentaria quinquefolia M.Bieb. in 1808. It was subsequently transferred to Cardamine, with the currently accepted combination Cardamine quinquefolia (M.Bieb.) Schmalh., published in 1895. The epithet quinquefolia means “five-leaved” or “five-foliolate”, referring to the characteristic divided leaves. Dentaria quinquefolia remains its principal historical synonym. 

• Hardiness: H7, below −20°C
• Height: 20–30 cm
• Spread: up to 100 cm
• Flowers: March–May