Cuckooflower is a perennial which looks like a larger specimen of Hairy or Wavey Bittercresses. The basal rosettes of leaves are very similar in shape, but the flowers of the Cuckooflower are much larger. It was given the name Lady's-smock because these flowers resembled the smocks worn by milkmaids. It was also believed that to pick them and take them into the house would attract a lightning strike or would be unlucky as they were sacred to the fairies. The other common name arises from the fact that flowering occurs at the same time as the Cuckoo returns.
The basal leaves are divided into roundish leaflets varying in number from 3 to 15 with a terminal relatively larger one. They have been used as a substitute for Watercress. The leaves on the flower stems also bear leaflets, but these are more pinnate in shape.
Flowering occurs between April and June with spikes of near white to lilac, four-petalled flowers with darker lilac lines and yellow anthers. The fruits which develop later are the typical upright long pods typical of this Family.
It is the foodplant of the Orange Tip Butterfly larva.

The plant is easily uprooted and provided the growing point is removed the roots should not regrow.

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