Common Pepperweed

Lepidium densiflorum

Physical Characteristics

Lepidium densiflorum is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). It is in flower from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

N. America - Maine to British Columbia, south to Virginia, Texas and Nevada. Casual in Britain[17].

Habitats

Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Seed Seedpod Edible Uses: Leaves - raw or cooked[172, 177]. A hot cress-like flavour, they are used in spring and early summer, the young leaves are best[9]. Immature seedpods - a hot pungent taste, they are used as a flavouring[9]. Seed - used as a mustard-like flavouring[172]. The pungency of mustard develops when cold water is added to the ground-up seed - an enzyme (myrosin) acts on a glycoside (sinigrin) to produce a sulphur compound. The reaction takes 10 - 15 minutes. Mixing with hot water or vinegar, or adding salt, inhibits the enzyme and produces a mildly-pungent but bitter mustard[238].

Medicinal Uses

Analgesic Kidney The leaves have been chewed in the treatment of headaches[257]. An infusion of the plant has been used in the treatment of kidney problems[257]. It has also been used as a dietary aid for a person trying to lose weight[257].

Known Hazards

None known