Toothwort
Dentaria
diphylla
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diphylla
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Toothworts
are hard to tell apart (also see entry on Cut-Leaved
Toothwort in the Early Spring Group). The technical manuals often depend
on root structure - which means you would have to dig one up to be absolutely
sure. Since I refuse to do that, I'll do the best I can with the pictures.
There are two species of Toothwort you are likely to find in the Asheville
area - the above Toothwort, Dentaria diphylla (meaning two-leaved)
and the other is Cut-Leaved (Dentaria concatenata). You can tell
them apart by the following points: 1) Cut-leaved Toothwort is a Spring
Ephemeral - appearing very early in the year, before any trees have leafed
out, and will entirely disappear by the time the canopy develops in early
May. D. diphylla appears later - around mid- to late May, after the
canopy has already developed. 2) D. diphylla is a much larger,
stockier plant - each flower can be 1/2" across. The Cut-Leaved flowers
(and structure in general) are definitely smaller and more delicate. 3)
D. diphylla (above) consists of a single , central main flowering
stem which has two small leaf stalks sprouting off it about halfway
between the ground and the flowers. Each leaf stalk is further divided into
three lance-shaped, lobed leaves. On the Cut-Leaved, there is also a single
central flower stalk but there are usually three (instead
of two) leaf stalks appearing on the flower stem. 4) With diphylla,
you are likely to also see the basal leaves - one or two leaves that emerge
on a separate leaf stalk that springs directly from the ground, somethimes
a couple of inches away from the main flower stalk. The basal leaf will
also be divided into three lobes, but this leaf and its lobes are
broader than the stem leaves. D. concatenata usually omits a basal
leaf. 5) The leaves of Cut-leaved Toothwort are narrower, longer and more
deeply cleft, giving them a more "lacy" appearance. They are also a slightly
lighter shade of green than D. diphylla, and diphylla tends
to show its veins more clearly. Do not despair - after a few tries you can
tell them apart. fdudley@weaversites.com
Fiona Dudley
Weaversites
986 Reems Creek Road
Weaverville NC 28787
828-231-1501
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