A genus of flowering plants in the mustard family, commonly known as bittercress, with small white or pink flowers and peppery-tasting leaves.
From Greek 'kardamon' (cardamom), because of the plants' peppery flavor reminiscent of spices. The genus name reflects this botanical connection despite being a different plant entirely from actual cardamom.
Plant scientists named this plant after cardamom spice because it tastes spicy—it's like they were saying 'this plant tastes like a different plant'—and now gardeners and herbalists recognize bittercress by this Greek spice reference.
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