Family: Brassicaceae
prairie pepper-weed, small peppergrass
[Lepidium apetulum auct. non Willd., more...]
Robert W. Freckmann
Emmet J. Judziewicz
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
Etymology: Lepidium: from the Greek lepidion, meaning "a little scale," in reference to the shape of the fruit pods
Plants: erect, annual/biennial, 8"-20" tall forb, with thin short hairs
Leaves: lower leaves coarsely toothed to pinnately-divided; the upper leaves not clasping
Flowers: 4-parted, either no petals or shorter than the sepals; inflorescence a 2"- 4" long cluster (raceme) of stalked flowers; blooms May-June
Fruits: oval, flat pod usually widest above the middle, notched at the tip
Habitat: dry to moist; disturbed areas, fields, roadsides
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized
Plants: erect, annual/biennial, 8"-20" tall forb, with thin short hairs
Leaves: lower leaves coarsely toothed to pinnately-divided; the upper leaves not clasping
Flowers: 4-parted, either no petals or shorter than the sepals; inflorescence a 2"- 4" long cluster (raceme) of stalked flowers; blooms May-June
Fruits: oval, flat pod usually widest above the middle, notched at the tip
Habitat: dry to moist; disturbed areas, fields, roadsides
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized
Roadsides, railroads, fields, dry prairies, gravel areas, farmyards, gardens, lawns, disturbed open soil, sandblows, dry riverbanks, edges of woods, sandbars, cliffs and bluffs, along trails, old quarries, sand dunes, thin woods of Jack pine or oak. Native to the western United States and spread eastward as a weed. First collected in 1879. See comments under L. virginicum.
Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Wetland Indicator = FAC USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc.
Emmet J. Judziewicz
Botanical Illustration
