Lepidium virginicum
Brassicaceae
alternate, basal (rosulate)
lobed, serrate
simple
linear, oblanceolate
forb
white
4
February - July
0.5 - 0.8
No
Unarmed
native
annual, biennial, perennial
Cool season
FACU
2
1
When flowers are chewed they produce a peppery sensation on the tongue. Var. medium is distinguished from var. virginicum by a hairless inflorescence and a slightly flattened pedicel, while var. virginicum has a hairy inflorescence and a round pedicle.
Seeds require light to germinate (Toole and Toole 1940). Gibberellic acid enabled these seeds to germinate in darkness.
Martin et al. (1951) report that both Canada geese and white-tail deer eat the foliage of pepperweed.
The Acadian French name for peppergrass is "cresson," which is standard French for watercress. It is found in sandy and/or disturbed soils in Louisiana and southern and central Texas. It occurs throughout the United States except in the far west.
Common weed in fields and other disturbed habitats, sandy soils, dry or moist soils, gardens, roadsides, and waste places.
Fruits can be used as a pepper substitute.