Cardamine oligosperma

Cardamine oligosperma is a species of Cardamine known by the common name little western bittercress, native to western North America.

Cardamine oligosperma
Conservation status
Secure  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Brassicales
Family:	Brassicaceae
Genus:	Cardamine
Species:	C. oligosperma
Binomial name
Cardamine oligosperma Nutt.

Description

C. oligosperma is an annual or biennial herb growing from a taproot. It produces one or more upright, branching stems 8–50 centimeters (3–18 inches).^[2] The leaves are divided into many leaflets. The plant generally has a large basal rosette and smaller leaves further up the stem, each with 5–9 nearly round leaflets.^[2] Most prominently blooming in early spring and early autumn,^[2] the inflorescence is several centimeters long and bears many flowers with white petals just a few millimeters in length. The fruit is a silique (pod) up to 2.5 cm (1 in) long,^{[citation needed]} containing 15–22 seeds.^[2]

• 
  New shoot
• 
  Leaves closer to base

Taxonomy

Oligosperma is Greek for 'few seeds'. Common names include snapweed and shotweed for the plant's tendency to throw seeds when touched.^[2]

Distribution and habitat

It is native to western North America from Alaska to California to Colorado, where it grows in moist mountain habitats.

Toxicity

The plant often throws its seeds when touched, which can cause irritation if they contact the eyes. Younger, more succulent plants are less likely to be carrying seeds.^[2]

Uses

The leaves are edible raw and other tender parts of the plant can be cooked,^[3] though have also been eaten raw.^[2]