Toothwort

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Toothwort

Toothwort flowers

Toothwort inflorescence

Toothwort

Toothwort leaves

Toothwort pods

Toothwort sepals and petals

Toothwort

Morphology

Stem

Erect, single, slender, unbranched, glabrous, often somewhat pubescent above.

Leaves

Alternate or in whorls of 3; basal leaves long-stalked, 3-foliolate, 5.1 to 12 inches long, often absent at lowering; stem leaves short-stalked, deeply palmately divided nearly to base or compound; segments 3-5, linear or lanceolate, 1.6 to 4.8 inches long, mostly glabrous; margins coarsely toothed.

Inflorescence

Raceme, usually 6-15-flowered.

Flower

Sepals 4, in 2 opposite pairs, ascending, oblong, 1/5 to 1/3 inch long, green, occasionally pinkish; base often bag-shaped; tip rounded to sometimes pointed; petals 4, diagonal to sepals, 2/5 to 4/5 inch long, white, pale lavender, or pale pink.

Fruit

Pods, linear, 4/5 to 1.8 inches long, 1/12 to 1/10 inch wide, straight, slightly compressed, tapering to slender beak; seeds oblong, about 1/10 inch long, somewhat flattened, orange-brown, in 1 row in each compartment.

Ecology

Habitat

Rich, moist woods, lower wooded slopes.

Distribution

East 1/3 of Kansas.

Practical Information

Uses

The Iroquois ate the roots raw or boiled, used the roots to treat colds and to stimulate appetites, applied a poultice of crushed root to headaches, and placed the roots in their pocket to attract women. Pioneers used the roots for seasoning in soups, stews, and meat dishes. The root is said to have a radish-like taste.

Additional Notes

Synonyms

Alternative scientific names that have been used for this plant.