Seasonal Wild Flowers

Cuckooflower

Cardamine pratensis

Brassicaceae

Lady's smock

Late March to June

It is traditionally associated with the arrival of the cuckoo

and is a plant used to measure the timing of spring.

Very widespread throughout the country

See the BSBI distribution map for Cuckooflower

It is found in wet grassland, pasture, meadows and soggy

lawns, and boggy areas in woods.

Cuckooflower is a native, perennial herb that grows up to

60cm or so in height, but is usually shorter.

It is a very attractive plant with flowers varying from dark

lilac, when they first appear, to almost white.

The 4 petals are distinctly veined.

The pods are a few cm long and upright.

The leaves are pinnate at the bottom and become more

thread-like further up the stem.

The plant spreads to form distinct, localized clones by

rooting from the leaves.

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Cuckooflower in rough pasture

Flowerhead

Lilac-coloured petals and yellow stamens

Close-up of capitate style

Pinnate leaves

Anthers, style and pod

Visiting tapered drone fly