Medicinal Monday - Cut-Leafed Toothwort

Cut Leafed Toothwort is a spring beauty that blooms in the Eastern woodlands of the United States including Connecticut. They are distinguished by small white flowers and finely cut leaves. The Iroquois believe that if you place the roots of this delicate flower in your pocket or in your mouth, it will help you attract women. In addition to this romantic folktale, Native Americans found several interesting medicinal uses for this plant.

About Cut Leafed Toothwort

This plant is widespread in North America, and in New England, it can be found in rich, moist forests. It is part of the Brassicaceae or mustard family and is of the genus Cardamine, a group of more than 150 annuals. It typically grows in rich soil that is moist and well-drained. Their rhizomes are oblong joined together like a string of beads. The rhizomes are known for their spicey radish-like flavor. The tubers are fairly shallow and form colonies. The plants have rosette basal leaves and unbranched flowering stems with 3-inch hairless deeply cut toothed leaves in whorls of three just above the middle of the stem. The white to pink flowers bloom in early spring in short, loose bunches on each flowering stem. The bell-shaped flowers are floppy with four petals, four green or purple sepals, and a single pistil with six yellow stamens. The flowers never fully open and only bloom for two weeks or so. The green foliage turns yellow and seeds develop as the flowers die off. This plant is dormant in the summer, leafy in the fall, and a winter ground cover.

Culinary and Medicinal Uses

The Iroquois among other Native American communities used this plant for food. The roots were eaten either raw or boiled. The Abenaki ate the root as food and also would grind it into a tasty condiment. The Iroquois used the plant for divination. The Algonquin, Quebec ground the root mixed it with vinegar, and made a relish.

Medicinally, many Native American communities made a poultice of the smashed roots and applied it to the head to treat headaches, they also used it to treat colds and as an aid to treat stomachaches. The Iroquois used the roots to treat heart palpitations, they also rubbed the roots on guns, fishing lines, and hooks as a hunting medicine for a successful hunt. Many communities made a cold compound infusion called "little water medicine" and put it on injured areas. The Algonquin made an infusion of the plant and gave it to children to reduce fevers. They also made an infusion of this root along with sweet flag root and took it to treat heart disease.

Did You Know...

The Cut Leafed Toothwort is also called Pepper Root.

The common name toothwort refers to the tooth-like shape of the underground tubers.

The genus, Cardamine, is Greek for Kardamon and when translated means cress.

The species name is Latin and means linked together in a chain.

This plant was formerly known as Dentaria laciniata.

The roots can be washed and ground and used as a substitute for horseradish.

The flower provides pollen mainly to bees.