Clasping pepperweed
Lepidium perfoliatum
Family: Brassicaceae or Cruciferae
What it is like
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.
Height (m): 0.3
Where it is found
Waste places and dry sandy slopes from near sea level to 1000 metres in western China.
E. Europe to E. Asia. An introduced casual in Britain.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Young leaves - raw or cooked. A hot cress-like flavour.
Medicine
Rating: 1
The plant is used as an antiscorbutic.
Antiscorbutic: A plant rich in vitamin C that is used to counteract scurvy.
Other
Rating: 0
How it is grown
Succeeds in most soils. The plant is occasionally cultivated as a vegetable in China.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in situ. Germination should take place within 3 weeks.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Annual/Biennial
Hardiness: 0-0
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist