Toothworts and Cresses

I haven't gotten many posts out recently, so I'm going to try something different with smaller, more frequent, and more focused posts. I have a lot of things I'd like to share! To start off with, here's a few species in the genus Cardamine, also known as bittercresses.

Cardamine is a large genus in the mustard family, with a number of spring-blooming species that I've encountered recently in the Rondeau area. These first two, the Toothworts, are mostly found in rich deciduous forests.

 

Cut-leaved Toothwort (C. laciniata) above is probably the most abundant spring wildflower at Rondeau.The deeply and narrowly lobed leaves easily separate it from the next species, C. diphylla, often just called Toothwort:

 

The next two species are similar, and are found in very wet areas of the woods. These are taller plants with leaves along the stem, whereas the previous two have only basal leaves. Purple Cress (C. douglasii) seems to be very widespread at Rondeau and in nearby areas.

Spring Cress (C. bulbosa) seems to be somewhat rarer, or perhaps just a later bloomer. This species is generally taller, with white rather than pink flowers.

Finally, this tiny flower belongs to the weedy Small-flowered Bittercress (C. parviflora), which I found growing on the edge of a woodlot.