Fineleaf Toothwort (Dentaria multifida)

Fineleaf Toothwort is also known as Cardamine multifida, Cardamine dissecta, Forkleaf Toothwort.

Plant Type: This is a herbaceous plant, it is a perennial which can reach 41cm in height (16inches).

Leaves: The leaves are alternate. Each leaf is finely divided. There are only two stem leaves which are similar to the basal leaves.

Flowers: The flowers have 4 Regular Parts. They are white sometimes pink. Blooms first appear in early spring and continue into mid spring.

Habitat: Rich woods.

Range: Scattered locations from Oklahoma to the Carolinas and as far north as southern Ohio.

The species name multifida means "many times divided," in reference to the shape of the leaves.  Falcate Orangetip  butterflies used toothworts as host plants for their caterpillars, which eat the leaves. The caterpillars are green with bold, white side stripes and a yellow-orange stripe along the top of the back.

Reference: 2bnTheWild.com