Cardamine bulbosa and Cardamine douglassii are two distinct species of plants that can be differentiated by their sepals, petals, and stem characteristics. As a gardening and landscaping expert, I can provide you with a detailed comparison of these two species.
1. Sepals:
– Cardamine bulbosa: The sepals of this plant are green in color and gradually turn yellow as they age.
– Cardamine douglassii: In contrast, the sepals of C. douglassii are purple when young and eventually turn brown as they mature.
2. Petals:
– Cardamine bulbosa: The petals of C. bulbosa are predominantly white, although pink petals can rarely occur.
– Cardamine douglassii: On the other hand, C. douglassii typically has pink to purple petals, although white petals can also be observed in some instances.
3. Stems:
– Cardamine bulbosa: The stems of C. bulbosa are covered in fine hairs, known as pubescence, which are appressed (pressed close to the surface) and shorter than 0.15 mm.
– Cardamine douglassii: In contrast, the stems of C. douglassii can be either glabrous (without hairs) or pubescent. When pubescent, the hairs are longer, ranging from 0.2 to 0.8 mm, and may have a spreading orientation.
To summarize the differences between Cardamine bulbosa and Cardamine douglassii, the former has green sepals turning yellow, white or occasionally pink petals, and stems with short appressed hairs. The latter, on the other hand, has purple to brown sepals, pink to purple or occasionally white petals, and stems that can be either glabrous or pubescent with longer hairs.
Personal experience: In my own gardening endeavors, I have come across both Cardamine bulbosa and Cardamine douglassii. Observing the color changes of the sepals and petals has been an interesting aspect of differentiating between these two species. The delicate white petals of C. bulbosa add a touch of elegance to my garden, while the vibrant pink petals of C. douglassii bring a splash of color. Additionally, the pubescence on the stems of C. bulbosa feels soft to the touch, while the longer hairs on the pubescent stems of C. douglassii provide a unique texture. These subtle differences contribute to the overall aesthetic and diversity of my garden.
