Can anyone ID this wildflower?

[happybird]

Saw it on my walk yesterday and can't find it in my wildflower field guide.

Northern Virginia, it was very small, maybe 5" tall, and I looked all around the vicinity, it was the only one. Maybe it's just a weed??



Thanks!

[elleng]

1. IMO, 'just a weed' is a flower/plant we don't like or want.

I'd say this is NOT 'just a weed,' but some gardening experts will probably identify it for you.

[Traildogbob]

2. Toothwort

Dentaria laciniata
Mustard family. Brassicaceae, Flowers can be pink or white.
This Latin name is from Audubon 1979 pub.
Names change a lot. Tough on botany, Dendrology and wildlife teachers.

[carpetbagger]

5. Remember that BS they told us in schools?

"Latin binomial names don't change and allow scientists to use the same name everywhere"

[Traildogbob]

6. Thirty years of teaching

Dendrology, 120 species and in botany around 50 wildflowers, and many wildlife. I have seen many change during my 30. Common occurrence.
Same with insects and diseases in plants and animals. We had to adapt.
The real lies I heard in High school, Latin is a dead language. Not when you live science of plants and animals.

[IbogaProject]

11. Catch is one plant can have multiple binomial names

More common with plants away from Europe so there can be names from two or more crews and languages.

[happybird]

7. Thank you!

[Traildogbob]

9. Glad to dust off the brain

Cheers.

[Ocelot II]

3. Cutleaf toothwort, aka pepper root, purple-flowered toothwort, crow's-toes.

Cardamine concatenata.

[happybird]

8. Thank you!

[carpetbagger]

4. Just so you're not confused...

Both D lacinata and C concatinata are the same plant, the latter being the current name used by most taxonomists.

[happybird]

10. Thank you!

[Trueblue1968]

12. It is pretty !!!!!!!!!!!!!!