Flower profile
Two-leaved toothwort
Cardamine diphylla
Two-leaved toothwort is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Vermont it's most often seen in bloom in May.
*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.
On our lists for: Vermont
Quick look
Cardamine diphylla is a flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae. It is a spring flowering woodland plant that is native to eastern North America.
- It belongs to the Brassicaceae family. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 27 states. USDA PLANTS
- NatureServe lists it as native to Vermont. NatureServe
- In Vermont, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 1,611 research-grade sightings of it in Vermont, ranking #48 among the 110 flowers on our Vermont list. iNaturalist
Two-leaved toothwort gift ideas
Handmade two-leaved toothwort gifts from independent makers.
🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.
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Two-leaved toothwort art print
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Two-leaved toothwort greeting card
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Two-leaved toothwort mug
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Two-leaved toothwort earrings
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Two-leaved toothwort embroidery pattern
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Two-leaved toothwort sticker
When does it bloom?
In Vermont, most flowering sightings come in May.
Conservation status
- Federal (U.S. ESA)
- Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
- NatureServe global
- G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
- Vermont
- Not listed Not on Endangered and Threatened Plants of Vermont (10 V.S.A. chap. 123; list of Feb 10, 2022). NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in Vermont. Vermont E&T list
- Rare elsewhere
- Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: MS (S1), NJ (S2), SC (S2). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)
Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.
Can you eat it?
NC State Extension notes: “The roots may be eaten raw or cooked. When fresh, they have a hot and peppery taste. They may be used in salads or as a relish. The leaves may be added to salads or soups. The plant is a source of Vitamin C.” NC State Extension
It isn't on the ASPCA plant list, and NC State Extension doesn't flag it for pets.
🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.
Where does it grow?
USDA PLANTS records two-leaved toothwort in 27 states.
recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded
See the full list of states
Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin.
Vermont counties with USDA records: Addison, Bennington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham, Windsor.
More Vermont flowers
Sources
- USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile CADI10.
- iNaturalist, Cardamine diphylla: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
- Wikipedia, Cardamine diphylla (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Vermont: Endangered and Threatened Plants of Vermont (10 V.S.A. chap. 123; list of Feb 10, 2022).
- Vermont: Vermont Quarantine List, Regulated Introduced Plant Species Rule (eff. June 16, 2026).
- USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
- NatureServe Explorer, Cardamine diphylla (global and state ranks).
- Edibility and toxicity: NC State Extension.
- Photo: Shirley Zundell via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.