DENTARIA, TOOTH-WORT, or Tooth-violet: A
genus of the filiquosa order, belonging to the tetrady-
namia class of plants; and in the natural method rank-
ing under the 39th order, Siliquosa. The filiqua parts
with a spring, and the valves roll spirally backwards;
the stigma is emarginated; the calyx closing longitudi-
nally. There are three species, all of them hardy perenni-
als; producing annual stalks 12 or 18 inches high, adorn-
ed with many-lobed leaves, and spikes of quadrupeta-
lous cruciform flowers of a red or purple colour. They
delight in shady places; and are propagated either by
seeds or parting the roots. The seeds may be sown
in autumn or early in the spring, in a shady border
of light earth; and when the plants are three inches
high, they may be planted where they are to remain.
The time for parting the roots is in October or No-
vember, or early in the spring.