Mid-Atlantic Invaders Tool

perennial pepperweed

Lepidium latifolium

L.

Taxon, Habit: Plant, Forb

Habitat: Wetland/Terrestrial

U.S. Nativity: Introduced

Species Synonym(s): None

Common Name(s): Virginia pepperweed, broadleaved pepperweed, tall whitetop, broadleaved peppergrass

Family: Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)

Family Synonym(s): None

Native Range (GRIN):

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Flower

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut

Infestation

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Feature

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Infestation

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Seedling

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Plant

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Infestation

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Plant

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Infestation

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Infestation

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut

Plant

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut

Infestation

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut

Fruit

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut

Seed

Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database

Description

Appearance
Lepidium latifolium is a perennial that can grow from 1-5 ft. (0.3-1.5 m) in height. In the late fall to early spring a rosette of leaves develops with 4-12 in. (10-30 cm) long and 1-2 in. (2.5-5 cm) wide, toothed leaves. Plants emerge from thick, minimally branched roots or semi-woody crowns. Individuals remain as a rosette for several weeks before the stem elongates.
Foliage
Rosette leaves are long petiolate. Cauline (stem) leaves are alternate, 1-3 in. (2.5-7.6 cm) long and oblong.
Flowers
Flowering occurs in the late spring to summer, when flat, dense clusters of flowers develop at the apex of the flowering stem. Individual flowers are 4-petaled and white.
Fruit
The fruit is a round to oval, hairy capsule that is 0.06 in. (1.5 mm) in diameter. It contains a single seed.
Ecological Threat
Lepidium latifolium invades coastal wetlands, riverbanks, marshes, rangelands, and roadsides. It can form dense monocultures that can increase in size over time crowding out native species. This plant was accidentally introduced into the United States around 1936 as contaminant in seed. It is native to Eurasia.

Uses

Landscape Ornamental Use (GRIN): No

All Uses (GRIN): Flavoring, Vegetable, Potential seed contaminant

Distribution Map (EDDMapS)

Wetland Indicator

Summary: perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium) is a Wetland/Terrestrial species.

Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain (AGCP):

Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain regions

Eastern Mountains and Piedmont (EMP):

Mid-Atlantic Piedmont and Mountain regions

Northcentral and Northeast (NCNE):

Northern parts of PA and NJ (and beyond)


Legend (data from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

OBL (Obligate wetland): Almost always occurs in wetlands (estimated probability > 99%) under natural conditions

FACW (Facultative wetland): Usually occurs in wetlands (estimated probability 67% - 99%), but occasionally found in non-wetlands

FAC (Facultative): Equally likely to occur in wetlands (estimated probability 34% - 66%) or non-wetlands

FACU (Facultative upland): Usually occur in non-wetlands (estimated probability 67% - 99%), but occasionally found in wetlands (estimated probability 1% - 33%)

UPL (Obligate upland): Occur almost always (estimated probability > 99%) in non-wetlands under natural conditions

Taxonomic Rank

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Dilleniidae
Order: Capparales
Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Lepidium
Subject: Lepidium latifolium L.

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