Weed of the Week

October 10th 2007

Perennial Pepperweed, Lepidium latifolium

Photo Courtesy of Colorado Department of Agriculture

 

Characteristics:

Family: Brassicaceae (Mustard family)

 Origin: southern Europe and western Asia

 Description:

• Perennial
• Many stemmed
• Deep-seated root stock

 Stems:

•  Multiple stems

• Grows 1-3 feet tall

 Flowers:

•  White

• Dense clusters near the ends of branches (Raceme)
• Very small
• Flowering occurs early summer to fall

 Leaves:

• Bright green to gray-green in color
• Lanceolate in shape
• Entire to toothed
• Basal leaves larger than upper leaves

 Location:

     Perennial pepperweed is listed as a non-native Class B Noxious weed by the state of Colorado. It can be found in waste areas, wet areas, ditches, roadsides and cropland. It is difficult to control because of its’ deep rooting habit and is known also as: broad-leaved peppergrass, tall whitetop, giant whitetop and Virginia pepperweed.

 

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