Honey bees
Nectar value
Medium
Pollen value
Medium
Pollinator plant
Cuckoo Flower, Lady`s smock
Cardamine pratensis
Linked agroforestry plant data
Pollinator recipe
Bee value
Who this plant supports
Agroforestry database
Complete plant information
Structure
- Vegetation layer
- Herbaceous
- Size
- Small
- Dimensions
- 0.50 m high × 0.30 m wide
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
Site conditions
- USDA hardiness
- 4-8
- Moisture
- Moist, Wet
- Soil
- Sandy, Loamy, Clay
- pH
- Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
- Light
- Partial shade, Sun
Uses
- Edible parts
- Leaves, Flowers
- Functions
- Pollinator plant
- Edibility
- 3 out of 5
- Medicinal value
- 5 out of 5
The leaves and young shoots of this plant can be eaten both raw and cooked. They are a good source of vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin C, but have a bitter and sharp taste. The leaves and young shoots can be harvested in the spring and taste somewhat like watercress. They are available early in the year and make a tasty addition to salads when used in small amounts. The flowers and flower buds can be eaten raw and have a spicy, watercress-like flavor. The white flowers are attractive and add a pleasant crunch and delightful taste to salads.