Electronic Flora of South Australia
Electronic Flora of South Australia
Census of SA Plants, Algae & Fungi
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Electronic Flora of South Australia genus Fact Sheet

Family: Cruciferae

Citation: L., Bitter cresses.

Derivation: Greek cardia, heart; damas, to subdue; referring to medicinal properties of a cress-like plant.

Synonymy: Not Applicable

Common name: None

Annual or perennial herbs, glabrous or with simple hairs; leaves usually less than 10 cm long.

Sepals slightly spreading, equal or nearly so; petals clawed; stamens 4 or 6; median glands present.

Siliqua dehiscent, replum margin ranged, valves release from the base like a clock spring, mid-vein not conspicuous; seeds in 1 row; radicle accumbent.

Distribution:  160 species with mainly a temperate distribution. In Australia there are 2 introduced species and several endemic taxa which require further research for taxonomic resolution.

Biology: No text

Key to Species:
1. Vegetative parts hirsute (usually sparsely) with long straight hairs
2. Most flowers with 4 stamens
C. hirsuta 3.
2. Most flowers with 6 stamens
C. flexuosa 1.
1. Vegetative parts, if hairy, not with long straight hairs
3. Plants semi-aquatic; leaves reducing to filiform
C. tenuifolia 5.
3. Plants mostly terrestrial; leaves not filiform
4. Petals up to 4 mm long
C. paucijuga 4.
4. Petals 4 mm or more long
C. gunnii 2.

Author: Not yet available

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