|
Mustard Family Milk Maids January-April Shady Woods |
Brassicaceae Cardamine californica "Greek word for a species of cress" "Of California" |
This is one of the earliest plants to bloom in the park. It is also called toothwort which means the petals look like teeth, a name derived from the former genus (Dentaria). The tuberous root stocks resemble miniature potatoes. These roots are not found directly beneath the flowering plant but under a set of leaves growing nearby.The flowers are about 1/2" across on a 4-6" stalk.
Many of these plants grow along the Fish Trail and Forest Trail in shady areas near the top of Pine Ridge.
