Wild flowers of the north-eastern states

MUSTARD FAMILY.
CRUCIFERÆ.

Toothwort.Dentaria laciniata.
Crinkle-root.
Pepper-root.

Found in flower, on the edge of thickets, in May.

A single stalk grows to the height of 6 or 7 inches; it is smooth, round, and juicy; light green.

The compound leaf is very deeply 3 times cut into long, narrow parts, with sharply notched edges; the texture is common (not to say coarse), and the color a full juicy green. Two or three leaves, on short foot-stems, grow in a whorl-like cluster about the stalk, a little below the flower-cluster.

The flower has 4 rounded petals spreading at the top; in texture rather thick, in color white, faintly tinged with violet; the 4-parted calyx is pale green, and the 6 stamens, 2 noticeably shorter than the others, are a dull greenish-yellow.

With the true vigor of its family this plant grows in small communities. It stays in bud a long time before the blossoms finally open. A number of small tubers are strung together on the roots, like beads on a necklace; pungent and peppery to the taste.