Lepidium campestre

Lepidium campestre2 W

Error creating thumbnail:

20180625 Alnarp4

Lepidium campestre, commonly known as field pepperweed or field cress, is a species of flowering plant in the Brassicaceae family. It is native to Europe and Asia but has been introduced to other parts of the world, including North America.

Description

Lepidium campestre is an annual or biennial herb that typically grows to a height of 30-60 cm. The plant has a basal rosette of leaves and erect stems. The leaves are lanceolate to oblong, with the lower leaves being stalked and the upper leaves sessile and clasping the stem. The small white flowers are arranged in dense terminal racemes. The fruit is a silicle, which is a type of dry fruit that splits open when mature.

Habitat

Lepidium campestre is commonly found in disturbed areas such as roadsides, fields, and waste places. It prefers well-drained soils and can tolerate a range of soil types, including sandy and clay soils.

Distribution

Originally native to Europe and Asia, Lepidium campestre has been introduced to other regions, including North America, where it is considered an invasive species in some areas.

Uses

While not widely used, Lepidium campestre has been noted for its potential in phytoremediation due to its ability to accumulate heavy metals from the soil. Additionally, the young leaves and seeds are sometimes used in salads and as a spice due to their peppery flavor.

Related Species

Lepidium campestre is part of the genus Lepidium, which includes several other species such as:

• Lepidium sativum (garden cress)
• Lepidium draba (hoary cress)
• Lepidium latifolium (perennial pepperweed)

Related Pages

• Brassicaceae
• Invasive species
• Phytoremediation
• Annual plant
• Biennial plant