Clasping pepperweed

Lepidium perfoliatum

Physical Characteristics

Lepidium perfoliatum is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). It is in flower from May to June. 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 moist soil.

Distribution

E. Europe to E. Asia. An introduced casual in Britain.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: Young leaves - raw or cooked[266]. A hot cress-like flavour.

Medicinal Uses

Antiscorbutic The plant is used as an antiscorbutic[240, 266].

Known Hazards

None known