woodland wildflower
Two-leaved Toothwort
Cardamine diphylla
Also known as Crinkleroot, Two-leaf Toothwort
1 of 2Native to much of the USA and southern Canada
Nova Scotia to southern Ontario and Wisconsin, south to South Carolina and Mississippi
- Light Part shade to shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist Moisture preference
- Zones 3–8 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Apr–May Flowering time
- Height up to 16 in to 41 cm
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland wildflower for part to full shade and evenly moist soil. Its white and pink flowers peak in May. At up to 16 in, it tucks into shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 3–8.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Two-leaved Toothwort's white and pink flowers bloom April to May, peaking in May. This early-spring ephemeral draws bees and butterflies.
Two-leaved Toothwort blooms white & pinkFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Two-spotted Bumble Bee also Mustard Miner Bee, Black-haired Miner Bee, Rugose Mining Bee
- Butterflies Mustard White also West Virginia White
- Flower flies Banded Thintail
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Much of the USA and southern CanadaUnited States (23): AL, CT, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV. Canada (4): NB, NS, ON, PE. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Nova Scotia to southern Ontario and Wisconsin, south to South Carolina and MississippiThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Part shade to shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–8 · Canadian 3–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Humus-rich, acid soilThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to medium (sandy to loamy)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Mildly acid to mildly alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 16 in (to 41 cm)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Apr–MayWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- White, PinkThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- Silique; ripens Apr–JunThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.