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Cardamine occulta

Hornem. (1819)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Brassicales Family: Brassicaceae Genus: Cardamine

bittercress

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Annual or biennial herbs, glabrous to sparsely hirsute with simple hairs.

Stems: Stems flexuous, ascending to weakly erect, 1–3 dm long, ± sparsely hirsute to subglabrate.

Roots: Sometimes rhizomatous or stoloniferous.

Leaves: Leaves compound (odd-pinnate). Alternate, basal and usually cauline. Blades oddly–pinnately compound with 3–11 leaflets, basal leaves usually with more leaflets than cauline leaves, the leaflets ovate to reniform, rarely lanceolate, blades of lateral leaflets 2–10 mm long, 1.5–15 mm wide, 3–5–lobed, the terminal leaflet usually larger, 5–15(–25) mm long, 6–17 mm wide, usually lobed similar to lateral leaflets. Apex apiculate. Surfaces sparsely hirsute to subglabrous; blades thin. Leaflet margins repand, crenate, or 3 or 5-lobed. Veins evident. Petiolate. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers in 1 to several racemes 10–20 cm long. Flowers bisexual (perfect), actinomorphic or rarely slightly irregular. Calyx of 4 sepals, deciduous, erect, usually oblong, sometimes the inner 2 with gibbous bases that hold the nectar. Corolla of 4 petals, white, 2.5–3 mm long, not exceeding the sepals. Stamens usually 6, usually divaricately ascending. Ovary superior, 2(4?)-carpellate, usually 2-celled by means of a false, but usually complete septum, rarely 1-celled, sessile or rarely stipitate; ovules 1 to numerous, borne on parietal placentas on replum margin at periphery of ovary wall, campylotropous or occasionally anatropous; style 1 or occasionally absent; stigma capitate or rarely decurrent, entire or 2-lobed.

Fruit: Linear silique; erect; slightly compressed parallel to the septum; the valves opening elastically from base; rolling up after dehiscence; the septum margin extending partially over the valvular area; siliques (1–)1.4–2(–2.5) cm long. Seeds in a single series per cell; plump; longer than wide; wingless; 8–14 per cell; reddish brown; broadly oblong; 0.9–1.1 mm long.

Ploidy: 2n = 30; 32

Habitat: Naturalized in wet to seasonally wet sites in low elevation; disturbed areas to open or shaded areas at higher elevations in wet forest; especially in gulches or streambeds.

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

  • Yes

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kaua'i Unknown
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Potentially naturalizing
Lana'i Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Hort. Bot. Hafn., Suppl.: 71 (1819)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:402 (K, O, M, H [as C. flexuosa]); Hughes 1995:2 (Mo); Oppenheimer 2003:8 (L); Marhold et al. 2016/Faccenda & Strong 2024:174 (C. flexuosa misapplied = C. occulta)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Cardamine occulta East Maui, Makawao District, Haiku Uka, Waikamoi Stream, steep, moist bank, edge of thicket All plants from one colony, varying from sun to shade. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 20357 Maui BISH 1943-08-04
2 Cardamine occulta Koolau Gap, S east coast Low growing on wet ground in the shade of ferns and grass, in an open area. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 1616 Maui BISH 1970-06-12
3 Cardamine occulta East Maui, Haiku Uka, Waikamoi Steram, steep moist ban, edge of thicket All plants from one colony, varying from sun to shade. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 20357 Maui BISH 1943-08-04
4 Cardamine occulta Keauhou Ranch, Kau District, near Puu oo Trail Growing on floor of closed Metrosideros forest near Pu`u O`o Trail. Preserved_Specimen Cuddihy, L.W. 560 Hawaii BISH 1980-09-12
5 Cardamine occulta Haleakala, pass N of Kuiki Shaded stream gulch Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 21122 Maui BISH 1945-09-25
6 Cardamine occulta Collapsed lava tube, Powerline Road off Saddle Road, near pole 27 Growing inside lava tube, within 10 ft of entrance. Assoc. with moss, liverworts, Peperomia cookiana, Carex macloviana, small Cibotium glaucum, Dryopteris paleacea, and Lythrum maritimum. Preserved_Specimen Davis, J. 915 Hawaii BISH 1982-09-09
7 Cardamine occulta S.Hilo district, Kulani Project Patches of 10 to 200 occasionally encountered in this area, sometimes growing in standing water. Closed Metrosideros forest with Cibotium, Coprosma, Myoporum, Styphelia and Clermontia montis-loa understory. Preserved_Specimen Davis, J. 469 Hawaii BISH 1980-02-26
8 Cardamine occulta Trail to Lulumahu Falls, moist disturbed lowland mesic forest Shady understory Preserved_Specimen Faccenda, K. 1686 Oahu BISH 2020-11-08
9 Cardamine occulta Puna District. Olaa Forest Reserve Kulani Trail Wet shaded side of trail Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 25004 Hawaii BISH 1953-01-28
10 Cardamine occulta South Kona, Honaunau Forest Reserve, Kealakekua Ranch Growing on `a`a with ferns and Cyrtandra. Closed Acacia - Metrosideros forest, mixed native understory. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. 159 Hawaii BISH 1980-03-27
11 Cardamine occulta Hilo, Baseyard of Div. of Forestry, DLNR, corner of Kilauea and Kawili St.'s Growing in moist ground near water spigot. Preserved_Specimen Davis, J. 489 Hawaii BISH 1981-03-06
12 Cardamine occulta East Maui, Keanae, growing in Keanae Arboretum Naturalized from Kahului Forestry Nursery. Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 1325 Maui BISH 1982-03-26
13 Cardamine occulta North Hilo District. Laupahoehoe AHU. Trail 17(30); East slope of Mauna Kea; makai of Keanakolu Rd.; on ridge S. Haako St Mesic koa-'ohi'a forest wth other native trees and a native fern and shrub understory. Growing in drained mudhole w/rush sedge. Preserved_Specimen Warshauer, F.R. 1538 Hawaii BISH 1977-11-17
14 Cardamine occulta Makanalua Drainage, above old dam In mesic forest Preserved_Specimen Hughes, G.D. Molokai BISH 1992-04-25
15 Cardamine occulta East Maui, Hana District, Keanae AHU, Tr 5(14), along W fork of Wailuaiki Stream Wet 'ohi'a forest with other native trees and a treefern and native shrub understory. Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 9052 Maui BISH 1980-05-31
16 Cardamine occulta Kohala Mountains, acess rd. to upper Hamakua ditch just above Waimea reservoir In cow pasture Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5550 Hawaii BISH 1985-06-24
17 Cardamine occulta East Maui, Makawao District, Kalialinui AHU, Tr 2(6), NW slope of Haleakala, E of Puu o Kakae, between Waiohiwi/Kahakapo Gu Mesic koa-'ohi' a forest w/other native trees and a native-exotic shrub and grass u/s. Preserved_Specimen Warshauer, F.R. 2716 Maui BISH 1980-06-27
18 Cardamine occulta East Maui, Hana District, Tr. 17(4), E of ridge in SW Kipahulu valley Mesic 'ohi'a forest with other native trees and a native shrub, matted-fern understory. Preserved_Specimen Warshauer, F.R. 2844 Maui BISH 1980-07-20
19 Cardamine occulta East Maui, Makawao District, Kalialinui AHU, Tr5(5), N slope of Haleakala, gulch E of transect above West Wailuaiki Stream Wet 'ohi'a forest with other native trees and anative shrub, matted-fern understory. Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 9037 Maui BISH 1980-05-31
20 Cardamine occulta East Maui, Koolau Forest Reserve loose damp gravel under ledge in stream bed. Preserved_Specimen Harrison, B. 345 Maui BISH 1973-07-22
21 Cardamine occulta East Maui, Makawao District, Haiku Uka, Waikamoi Stream, steep, moist bank, edge of thicket All plants from one colony, varying from sun to shade. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 20357 Maui BISH 1943-08-04
22 Cardamine occulta Honolulu: Manoa Valley; University of Hawaii Manoa Campus, Mauka Field Laboratory. (Dept. of Agronomy and Soils.) A weed growing in a greenhouse under the plant benches in areas frequently sprayed by a sprinkler. Preserved_Specimen Lau, J. 1526 Oahu BISH 1985-10-16
23 Cardamine occulta Makiki Heights Dr. & Mott Smith Dr Shaded area on roadside Preserved_Specimen Faccenda, K. 1841 Oahu BISH 2021-05-22
24 Cardamine occulta Puu Makaala, upper Olaa Forest reserve, Puna Distr Talll, dense wet forest of Metrosideros, Cibotium, Gouldia, Astelia. Rare of forest floor in sunny areas. Preserved_Specimen Nagata, K.M. 1874 Hawaii BISH 1979-06-01
25 Cardamine occulta Kau Forest Reserve, Kau District Growing in damp soil beneath Athyrium sandwichianum and Amauropelta globulifera in open `ohi`a-koa-hapu`u forest. Preserved_Specimen Cuddihy, L.W. 937 Hawaii BISH 1981-11-18
26 Cardamine occulta Along Tanatalus Rd near Kalawahine Trailhead. Sunny, wet areas from cracks in pavement along road. Preserved_Specimen Faccenda, K. 3298 Oahu BISH 2024-01-20
27 Cardamine occulta Kilauea Forest Reserve, Kau District Growing on muddy ground churned by pigs in closed Acacia koa - Metrosideros - Cibotium forest. Preserved_Specimen Cuddihy, L.W. 219 Hawaii BISH 1980-02-26
28 Cardamine occulta East Maui, Hana District, Haiku AHU, Tr 6(19), N slope Haleakala, Koolau Forest, Growing on a rock in stream bed in gully wet 'ohi'a forest with other native trees and a treefern and native shrub understory. Preserved_Specimen Warshauer, F.R. 2585 Maui BISH 1980-05-31
29 Cardamine occulta Koa Mill, Alika homesteads, S. Kona Dist In moist shaded lava tube. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 22483 Hawaii BISH 1946-12-30
30 Cardamine occulta UH Manoa Campus, North of the Biomedical Sciences Building. From gravel in mostly shady area close to building. Preserved_Specimen Faccenda, K. 2174 Oahu BISH 2021-11-29
31 Cardamine occulta East Maui, Ainahou, Koolau Gap Near waterfall at base in muddy damp area; somewhat dark. Preserved_Specimen Medeiros, A.C. 470 Maui BISH 1983-07-22
32 Cardamine occulta Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge, Kauai, Hawaii Growing on wet bank between taro fields. Preserved_Specimen Crago, L.M. 2005150 Kauai BISH 2005-08-02
33 Cardamine occulta Haleakala, Koolau Gap Rain Forest Preserved_Specimen Wilbur, R.L. 955 Maui BISH 1948-07-02
34 Cardamine occulta Lyon Arboretum. Upper lawn Makai. Around base of palms near gate. Abundant where soil is frequently bared Wet Preserved_Specimen Baker, R.F. 79 Oahu BISH 1975-04-25
35 Cardamine occulta Puu Hualalai, Puuwaawaa Moist woods Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 11391 Hawaii BISH 1931-12-29
36 Cardamine occulta Kau district, Kilauea Forest Reserve Growing on muddy ground churned by pigs in a closed Acacia koa - Metrosideros Cibotium forest. Several plants encountered in only one locality. Preserved_Specimen Cuddihy, L.W. 291 Hawaii BISH 1980-02-26
37 Cardamine occulta Manoa Cliff Trail, Tantalus Growing right along the footpath of the main trail in gully where large Albizia trees were recently felled. Growing with Begonia hirtella and Tectaria gaudichaudii. Preserved_Specimen Ross, M.C. 1965 Oahu BISH 2023-11-10
38 Cardamine occulta Around base of palms near gate. Abundant where soil is frequently bared Wet Preserved_Specimen Baker, R.F. 79 Oahu BISH 1975-04-25
39 Cardamine occulta Hulopoe Bay, in residential area above Gorwing at edge of lawn along rd. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 40130 Lanai BISH 2001-04-15
40 Cardamine occulta North Hilo District: Keanakolu; Humuula; Hilo Forest Reserve moistgulch in Koa Forest Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 18589 Hawaii BISH 1937-12-30
41 Cardamine occulta East Maui, Hana District, Tr. 16(10), central Kipahulu Valley, in gulch along streaml off transect Wet 'ohi'a forest with other native trees and a treefern and native shrub understory. In shade. Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 9395 Maui BISH 1980-07-21
42 Cardamine occulta South Kona, Honaunau Forest Reserve, near Kealakekua Ranch On rocky silt, `a`a, in dense shade with ferns and Cyrtandra. Closed Acacia - Metrosideros forest, mixed native understory. Preserved_Specimen Davis, J. 253 Hawaii BISH 1980-03-27
43 Cardamine occulta W Maui, Wainee Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 80 Maui BISH 1910-05-01
44 Cardamine occulta W Maui, Iao Valley in a narrow gulch bottom east of Nakalaloa Stream Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 1860 Maui BISH 1983-10-15
45 Cardamine occulta Kona, Papaalou in the forest Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 322 Hawaii BISH 1911-07-15
46 Cardamine occulta Honokahau Drainage Basin Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 488 Maui BISH 1917-09-25
47 Cardamine occulta Honolulu. Greenhouse Preserved_Specimen Nagata, K.M. 770 Oahu BISH 1971-02-22
48 Cardamine occulta At Volcano dump Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5270 Hawaii BISH 1984-02-02
49 Cardamine occulta Keanae Gap Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 1000 Maui BISH 1919-08-02
50 Cardamine occulta Waiahole-Waikane Valley, near head of Uwau Steam, growing by an irrigation tunnel Preserved_Specimen Takeuchi, W.N. 1867 Oahu BISH 1984-12-02
51 Cardamine occulta Rare, along inner crater walls of Puu Ahumoa. District of Hamakua Preserved_Specimen Nagata, K.M. 2441 Hawaii BISH 1982-04-06
52 Cardamine occulta Central Maui, Kahului, growing abundantly about the forestry nursery in damp ground Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 1874 Maui BISH 1983-12-20
53 Cardamine occulta Forest below Puu Oo Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 861 Hawaii BISH 1915-06-16
54 Cardamine occulta East Maui, forest below Puuluau Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 2032 Maui BISH 1984-03-20
55 Cardamine occulta Puna District, land of Olaa, volcano transfer dump Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 5600 Hawaii BISH 1975-12-16
56 Cardamine occulta Windward Koolau Mts, Waiahole Valley, growing along water tunnel entering Uwau Stream Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5501 Oahu BISH 1984-12-02
57 Cardamine occulta Mt. Kaala, roadside near the 1st installation Preserved_Specimen Takeuchi, W.N. 2090 Oahu BISH 1985-02-16
58 Cardamine occulta Woods, Kona, Hawaii Preserved_Specimen Mann, H. 311 Hawaii BISH 1864-01-01
59 Cardamine occulta Limahuli Valley, Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 59501 Kauai BISH 1980-03-04
60 Cardamine occulta Koloa, Kalaheo, yard of house at 3581 Kaloke St. Preserved_Specimen D.H. Lorence 11009 Kauai BISH 2024-08-12
61 Cardamine occulta Kahului, Baseyard, maui in humid greenhouse. A prolific weed in the forestry green houses Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 952 Maui BISH 1980-11-04
62 Cardamine occulta East Maui, forest below Puuluau Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 2031 Maui BISH 1984-03-20
63 Cardamine occulta Woods of Kona Hawaii Preserved_Specimen Hillebrand, W.B. Hawaii BISH
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