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Cuckooflower Cardamine pratensis 

 
 
Wildlife GardenWildlife garden plant
Attracts BeesBees are attracted to this plant
Attracts ButterfliesButterflies are attracted to this plant
Attracts HoverfliesHoverflies are attracted to this plant
Perennial Life CyclePerennial life cycle
Cross-Shaped FlowersCross-shaped flowers
White FlowersWhite flowers
4 Petals4 petals
Mar-Jun Flowering
period
Pinnate LeavesPinnate leaves
Smooth-Edged LeavesSmooth-edged leaves
Round StemRound stem
Fibrous RootsFibrous roots
50cmMaximum height
 
 
  Main image of Cuckooflower
© 2021 Adrian Briggs
 

Cuckooflower is a native perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in woodland, wet meadow and water margins, to a mature height of up to 50cm.

Cuckooflower is so called because it flowers around the time when the Cuckoo arrives from late March and starts to call.

Botanic classification and naming: Cuckooflower is a member of the Cabbage (Brassicaceae) family. The genus name 'Cardamine' identifies the plant as a Bittercress and its species name 'pratensis' means 'meadow plant'.

Benefits: Attracts the Orange-Tip and Green-Veined White butterflies.

Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.

 

 
Flower of Cuckooflower

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Flowers:
Cuckooflower usually flowers between March and June.

Flower colour:

Flower Colour White

White

Flower shape:

Flower Shape  Cross

Cross

Petals:

Petal Number =  4

4

Leaf of Cuckooflower

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Leaves:

Leaf Shape:

Leaf Shape is Pinnate

Pinnate

Leaf Margins:

Leaf Margin is smooth

smooth

Stem of Cuckooflower

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Stem and Roots:

Stem shape:

Stem Shape is Round

Round

Root type:

Root Type is Fibrous

Fibrous