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Lepidium densiflorum - Schrad.

Common Name Common Pepperweed
Family Brassicaceae or Cruciferae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry soils[235]. Meadows, pastures, arable land, waste places, walls etc[9]. Sandy soils in disturbed areas in Texas[274].
Range N. America - Maine to British Columbia, south to Virginia, Texas and Nevada. Casual in Britain[17].
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Lepidium densiflorum Common Pepperweed


USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 2: 166.
Lepidium densiflorum Common Pepperweed
www.nps.gov/

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Lepidium densiflorum is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). It is in flower from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed  Seedpod
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw or cooked[172, 177]. A hot cress-like flavour, they are used in spring and early summer, the young leaves are best[9]. Immature seedpods - a hot pungent taste, they are used as a flavouring[9]. Seed - used as a mustard-like flavouring[172]. The pungency of mustard develops when cold water is added to the ground-up seed - an enzyme (myrosin) acts on a glycoside (sinigrin) to produce a sulphur compound. The reaction takes 10 - 15 minutes. Mixing with hot water or vinegar, or adding salt, inhibits the enzyme and produces a mildly-pungent but bitter mustard[238].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Analgesic  Kidney

The leaves have been chewed in the treatment of headaches[257]. An infusion of the plant has been used in the treatment of kidney problems[257]. It has also been used as a dietary aid for a person trying to lose weight[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring or late summer in situ. Germination should take place within 3 weeks.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Lepidium apetalum Annual/Biennial0.3 -  LMHSNM22 
Lepidium campestrePepperwort, Field pepperweedAnnual/Biennial0.6 0-0  LMHSNDM200
Lepidium chilense  0.0 -  LMHSNM10 
Lepidium diffusum  0.0 -  LMHSNM20 
Lepidium fremontiiDesert PepperweedPerennial0.5 -  LMHSNDM20 
Lepidium graminifoliumGrassleaf pepperweedPerennial0.1 0-0  LMHSNDM20 
Lepidium hyssopifoliumHyssopleaf pepperweedAnnual/Biennial0.0 0-0  LMHSNM10 
Lepidium iberis Annual0.3 -  LMHSNM11 
Lepidium incisum Annual0.2 -  LMHSNM10 
Lepidium intermedium Annual/Biennial0.3 -  LMHSNM20 
Lepidium latifoliumDittander, Broadleaved pepperweedPerennial1.2 5-9  LMHSNM311
Lepidium meyeniiMacaPerennial0.1 0-0  LMHSNM530
Lepidium nitidumShining Pepperweed, Howell's pepperweedAnnual0.3 0-0  LMHSNM202
Lepidium oleraceum Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM20 
Lepidium perfoliatumClasping pepperweedAnnual/Biennial0.3 0-0  LMHSNM110
Lepidium rotundumVeined PeppercressPerennial0.2 -  LMHSNM20 
Lepidium ruderaleNarrow Leaved Peppergrass, Rroadside pepperweedAnnual/Biennial0.3 0-0  LMHSNM21 
Lepidium sativumCress, Gardencress pepperweedAnnual0.5 6-9  LMHSNM312
Lepidium spp.Perennial LepidiumPerennial1.2 3-10 FLMHSNM532
Lepidium virginicumWild Pepper Grass, Virginia pepperweed, Intermediate pepperweed, Menzies' pepperweed, Hairy pepperweAnnual/Biennial0.5 0-0  LMHSNM220

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

Schrad.

Botanical References

60274

Links / References

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