Lepidium densiflorum Common pepperweed (Cruciferae)

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Lepidium densiflorum
Common pepperweed
(1 Page of 5)

The Lepidium densiflorum plant species is found in N. America - Maine to British Columbia, south to Virginia, Texas and Nevada. Casual in Britain[17]. It is a member of the Cruciferae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Common pepperweed.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Lepidium densiflorum
Common Name:  Common pepperweed
Family:  Cruciferae
Author:  Schrad.

Known Hazards:  None known

Mature Height:  0.5   Mature Width:

Habitat:  Dry soils[235]. Meadows, pastures, arable land, waste places, walls etc[9].

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 sulpher 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].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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