perennial pepperweed
(Lepidium latifolium)
This species is Introduced in the United States
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 a contaminant in seed. It is native to Eurasia.
Citations
Rawlins, K.A., R.L. Winston, C.T. Bargeron, D.J. Moorhead, and R. Carroll. 2018. New Invaders of the Southeast. USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Assessment and Applied Sciences Team, Morgantown, West Virginia. FHTET-2017-05. Retrieved from http://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/pdf/FHTET-2017-05_New%20Invaders_SE.pdf
Rawlins, K.A., R.L. Winston, C.T. Bargeron, D.J. Moorhead, and R. Carroll. 2018. New Invaders of the Northeast and Northcentral United States. USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Assessment and Applied Sciences Team, Morgantown, West Virginia. FHTET-2017-04. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/pdf/FHTET-2017-04_New%20Invaders_NE.pdf
Resources
- Element Stewardship Abstract - The Nature Conservancy
- Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
- Alaska Noxious Weeds
- Alberta Weed Control Act
- California Invasive Plant Council
- California Noxious Weeds
- Colorado Noxious Weeds
- Connecticut Invasive Plant List
- Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group
- Hawaii Noxious Weeds
- Idaho Noxious Weeds
- Indiana Invasive Species Council - Invasive Plant List
- Indiana Terrestrial Plant Rule
- Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
- John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
- Massachusetts Invasive Plants Advisory Group List
- Massachusetts Noxious Weeds
- Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List
- Montana Noxious Weeds
- National Park Service, Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team Invasive Plant List
- Nevada Noxious Weeds
- New Hampshire Invasive Species Committee. 2005. Guide to Invasive Upland Plant Species in New Hampshire. New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food Plant Industry Division and New Hampshire Invasive Species Committee.
- New Hampshire Prohibited Invasive Species
- New Invaders of the Northeast and Northcentral
- New Invaders of the Southeast
- New Mexico Noxious Weeds
- New York Regulated and Prohibited Invasive Species - Prohibited
- Oregon Noxious Weeds
- Pacific Northwest Exotic Pest Plant Council, 1998
- Rhode Island Natural History Survey
- Utah Noxious Weeds - Contain
- Washington Noxious Weeds
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
- Wisconsin Noxious Weeds
- Wisconsin's Invasive species rule – NR 40
- Wyoming Noxious Weeds
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Rosanae |
| Order: Brassicales |
| Family: Brassicaceae |
| Genus: Lepidium |
| Lepidium latifolium |
Other System Links
Plants: LELA2
Bayer: LEPLA
GRIN: 21765
ITIS: 503379
NPDN Pest: PBKAWBC
NPDN Host: 31704
Synonyms and Other Names
Other Common Names:
Virginia pepperweed, broadleaved pepperweed, tall whitetop, broadleaved peppergrass
Related Scientific Names:
Cardaria latifolia L. (Synonym)
References
Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.