CUCKOOFLOWER |
CARDAMINE PRATENSIS |
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| Fig 1 |
DESCRIPTION: Height up to 60cm. A wonderful flower that is usually found in good numbers wherever it grows. The lower leaves are found in a basal rosette and are pinnate with the end leaflet kidney-shaped. Upper leaves are very narrow and unstalked. The flowers are borne in loose clusters on stalks and are white or a soft llilac in colour with each petal delicately adorned with darker veining. Anthers are yellow. DISTRIBUTION: Widespread and common. HABITAT: Prefers marshy ground, damp grassy areas, riversides, pond margins and moorland flushes. FLOWERING TIME: Late April to June. EXTRA NOTES: All parts need blanching before use in salads and sandwiches so as to remove the bitterness. The young leaves have a particular spicy scent. Contain mustard oil compounds the plant can be used to increase liver and kidney activity. It can also be used to treat abdominal cramps, coughing and menstrual pains. One of its main uses was to treat rheumatism. |