Small Water-cress. Cardamine pratensis.
A hardy, perennial plant, introduced from Europe, and naturalized to a limited extent in some of the Northern States. Stem about fifteen inches high, erect, smooth; leaves deeply divided,—the divisions of the radical or root leaves rounded, those of the stalk long, narrow, and pointed; the flowers are comparatively large, white, or rose-colored, and produced in erect, terminal clusters; the seeds are of a brown color, small, oblong, shortened on one side, rounded on the opposite, and retain their vegetating powers four years,—nearly thirty thousand are contained in an ounce.
Soil.—It succeeds best in moist, loamy soil; and should have a shady situation.
Propagation and Cultivation.—It may be propagated from seeds, or by a division of the roots. The seeds are sown in April or May, in shallow drills a foot asunder. The roots may be divided in spring or autumn.
Use.—The leaves have the warm, pungent taste common to the Cress family; and are used in their young state, like Cress, as a salad. Medically, they have the reputation of being highly antiscorbutic and of aiding digestion. There are four varieties:—
White Flowering.—A variety with white, single flowers.
Purple Flowering.—Flowers purple, single. Either of these varieties may be propagated from seeds, or by a division of the roots.
Double Flowering White.—Flowers white, double.
Double Flowering Purple.—A double variety, with purple blossoms. These varieties are propagated by a division of the roots. Double-flowering plants are rarely produced from seeds.