field pepperweed
Family
BrassicaceaeScientific Name
Lepidium campestre
Synonyms (former Scientific Names):
Neolepia campestris
Thlaspi campestre
Habit
Plants germinate in the fall and bloom from May through September. Often found growing in high cut turf, the plants are an indicator of low fertility.
Leaves
The gray-green, arrow shaped leaves are covered in short hairs, and have lobed, toothed, or entire margins. Rosette leaves and leaves on the lower stem have rounded margins that taper at the base. As the flowering stem appears, the rosette disappears and is replaced by leaves that clasp the stem. The leaves can grow up to 30 cm in length and 8 cm wide. The stems are slightly hairy and may grow up to 2 ft in height.
Identifying Characteristics
Being highly competitive, the plant will grow in dense colonies, choking out native vegetation.
Flower Seed Head
The white or greenish-white flowers occur in racemes that may grow up to 6 inches long. The 2mm long flowers occur in 4 to 8 mm long pedicels, and have 4 spoon-shaped petals. Each flower has 6 distinct stamens.
Seed Fruit
The egg-shaped fruit grow from 5 to 6 mm in length with wing-like structures at the apex. Typical of the mustard family, the fruit have a strong, peppery flavor. The oval, brown seeds can be 2 to 2.5 mm in length.
Where Found
This plant prefers open fields, and waste areas, places that are infrequently mown, although it also thrives in turf.
Growth Habit
upright and nonwoody
Thorns or Spines
not present
Approximate Flower Diameter
pencil
Dominant Flower Color
white
Flower Symmetry
not symmetrical
Leaf Hairs
has hairs
Leaf Shape
Varies:
lance,
spatulate
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Margin
Varies:
entire,
serrated
Leaf Structure
simple
Leaf Stalk
shorter than leaf
Stem Hairs
no hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Root Structure
taproot
Life Cycle
winter annual
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Herb