Roadside Peppergrass

(Lepidium ruderale)

 

Color drawing: C. A. M. Lindman (1901-1905), Bilder ur Nordens Flora.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Roadside Peppergrass (Lepidium ruderale)

Alien: Native of Europe.

Identification: Flowers green, arranged in a series of racemes. Seed pods flattened, ovate, triangularly notched at the apex. Upper stem leaves linear, not clasping the stem, and lower leaves deeply lobed, almost parsleylike. Plant 6 inches to 1 foot in height.

Distribution: Throughout the eastern United States, although in local populations. Also occurs in the Pacific Northwest.

Habitat: This species is found in a variety of disturbed habitats including roadsides, fields, and empty lots.

Flowering periods: June to August.

Note: Roadside Peppergrass is usually considerably less common than other peppergrasslike crucifer species.

Roadside Peppergrass (Lepidium ruderale)

Similar Species:

The green flowers and parsleylike leaves will separate this species from other species of Lepidium and other crucifers with a similar appearance.

Similar Species

No Similar Species