Narrowleaf bittercress facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Narrowleaf bittercress |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cardamine
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| Species: |
impatiens
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The narrowleaf bittercress, also known as narrow-leaved bitter-cress (scientific name: Cardamine impatiens), is a type of plant. It belongs to the Cardamine group, which is part of the Brassicaceae family. This family also includes plants like cabbage and mustard.
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What is Narrowleaf Bittercress?
The narrowleaf bittercress is a thin, biennial herb. This means it lives for two years. In its first year, it mostly grows leaves. In its second year, it produces one or more flowering stems.
What Does it Look Like?
This plant has leaves that are divided into smaller sections, like a feather. These sections are called leaflets. There are several pairs of leaflets that are shaped like a spearhead and have jagged edges. The leaflet at the very end is usually a bit longer than the others.
The flowers of the narrowleaf bittercress have short petals. These petals are about half the length of the green parts that protect the flower bud, called the calyx. After the flowers, the plant forms long, narrow seed pods. These pods are called siliques. Inside, the seeds are lined up in a single row on each side of a thin middle wall.
How Does it Reproduce?
When the seed pods dry out, they create tension. This tension causes the pods to burst open suddenly, shooting the seeds out like a mini-shower. This helps the plant spread its seeds far and wide.
Where Does it Grow?
You can often find the narrowleaf bittercress growing in shady spots. It likes places like walls, open ground, and forests that have been disturbed by people.
