How much sun does Palmate Toothwort need?

Palmate Toothwort grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Palmate Toothwort bloom?

Palmate Toothwort blooms in March, April, and May.

Where is Palmate Toothwort native?

Palmate Toothwort (Cardamine nuttallii) is native to CA, OR, WA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Palmate Toothwort attract?

Palmate Toothwort draws bees and flies.

Is Palmate Toothwort HOA-friendly?

Palmate Toothwort takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Palmate Toothwort

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Cardamine nuttallii

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Palmate Toothwort (Cardamine nuttallii) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

4"–12" H × 3"–6" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

CA, OR, WA

Pollinators

bees, flies

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains North American Deserts

Palmate toothwort is a delicate spring ephemeral that produces clusters of small white or pale pink flowers above distinctive palmate leaves. This woodland native emerges early in spring, blooms for several weeks, then goes dormant by summer, disappearing completely until the following year.

In an HOA neighborhood

Palmate Toothwort takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Disappears completely by summer leaving bare spots
Very short bloom period
Looks wild and unstructured when present

Wildlife value

The early spring flowers provide nectar for bees and flies when few other plants are blooming. As a native ephemeral, it supports specialized early-season pollinators.

Common questions

How much sun does Palmate Toothwort need?: Palmate Toothwort grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Palmate Toothwort bloom?: Palmate Toothwort blooms in March, April, and May.
Where is Palmate Toothwort native?: Palmate Toothwort (Cardamine nuttallii) is native to CA, OR, WA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Palmate Toothwort attract?: Palmate Toothwort draws bees and flies.
Is Palmate Toothwort HOA-friendly?: Palmate Toothwort takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

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