Two-Leaved Toothwort, Crinkleroot

Dentaria diphylla is very limited in its distribution in Indiana. In the Chicago Region, it was previously known only from Berrien County, Michigan until its discovery in St. Joseph County, Indiana by Scott Namestnik and Vic Riemenschneider, growing along a meandering stream in rich, mesic woods. Now called Cardamine diphylla by some taxonomists.

Toothwort, Dentaria laciniata

Ubiquitous in eastern mesic forests, Toothwort is one of the most common spring ephemerals. The 4-petaled flowers are usually white, but occasionally pink, as shown. The degree of toothing on the leaves is highly variable. This plant is now being called Cardamine concatenata, with "concatenata" meaning "joined together/ forming a chain," probably from the rhizomes with numerous constrictions.

Recent Photos - Just For Fun

Ever wonder why you wallow around in natural areas trying to get nice photos of some plant that's just about impossible to photograph? Well it's just who you are, and it's just what you do. At such times I am always, always reminded of these thoughts by Robert James Waller: "Existence takes on meaning only when you give it meaning – by making it meaningful. And how do you make it meaningful? By listening to those almost-secret voices within you that, at certain critical times, whisper, “This is me.” In those moments, it’s important to consciously note what you are doing and do more of it – a lifetime of it, in fact."

Hepatica acutiloba - Sharp-Lobed Hepatica

Dentaria laciniata - Toothwort

Claytonia virginica - Spring Beauty

Cardamine douglassii - Spring Cress



Phlox bifida - Cleft Phlox, Sand Phlox

A little Madness in the Spring

Is wholesome even for the King,

But God be with the Clown

Who ponders this tremendous scene —

This whole Experiment of Green —

As if it were his own!

(Emily Dickinson)