Cardamine quinquefolia, the five-leaved cuckoo flower or whorled coral-root,[1] is a species of flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae, native to an area from south eastern Europe to northern Iran.[2]
Growing to 30cm (10inches) tall and 100cm (00inches) broad, this spreading herbaceous perennial produces masses of violet coloured flowers in spring. The Latin specific epithet quinquefolia means "with five-lobed leaves".[3] The whole plant dies down in summer.
This plant is used as groundcover in gardens. It has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[4] It prefers a sheltered spot in full or partial shade.[4]