Cardamine

[WimB]

Does anyone know the name of this Cardamine. A friend of mine is growing this in her garden and has it under the name of Cardamine heptaphylla but she thinks that is not correct.

[Sinchets]

Do you have a clearer picture of the leaves, Wim? It could be that if it is not C.heptaphylla it is C.pentaphyllos.

[WimB]

Simon,

thanks for the quick reply. I've asked her if she has a better picture of the leaves.

[TheOnionMan]

Here are two photos of Cardamine pentaphylla, as I know it, for comparison with your plant.  Looks different, so I'm not sure what species yours might be.  C. pentaphylla is a choice, slowly spreading plant for the early woodland garden, one of my "favs"... it seems to be an under-used genus of worthy plants.

[Sinchets]

Both species are more variable in leaf and flower size and colour in the wild than they are in cultivation- but only a clearer pic of the leaves will help with this 

[Lesley Cox]

The C. pentaphylla is very attractive. Another genus that NZ's MAF gets uptight about because of its generic name.

Actually, I've just looked on the Bio Index and a number are permitted as seed including what are listed as heterophylla and pentaphyllos.

[Maggi Young]

I was going to say, Lesley, would they like it any better as a "Dentaria"??

[Sinchets]

My thoughts exactly, Maggi- no way they could mix that up with Cardaminopsis 

[Paul T]

Wow Mark, I love the pentapylla.  Good leaves and an excellent pink to the flowers.  niiice!!

[Lesley Cox]

There are 5 Dentaria listed and none as synonyms for Cardamine. Oddly though, while all the Cardamine listed are "Requires Assessment" for plants (permitted as seeds) the Dentaria are permitted (with quarantine etc) as well as for seeds.

[WimB]

She doesn't have a better picture of the leaves. So, I guess a positive ID is impossible.

Mark, that C. pentaphylla is a very nice plant.

[Sinchets]

There are 5 Dentaria listed and none as synonyms for Cardamine. Oddly though, while all the Cardamine listed are "Requires Assessment" for plants (permitted as seeds) the Dentaria are permitted (with quarantine etc) as well as for seeds.

Shame we don't have any Dentaria growing in Europe then- only Cardamine- though I guess that changes every few years