Dittander, Broadleaved pepperweed
Lepidium latifolium
Family: Brassicaceae or Cruciferae
What it is like
Lepidium latifolium is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
Height (m): 1.2
Where it is found
Salt marshes and wet sands on the south and east coasts.
Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to N. Africa and W. Asia.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 3
Young leaves - raw or cooked. A very hot cress-like flavour. The leaves are nice when used in small quantities as a flavouring in salads. Some reports also suggest using them as a potherb, though they have always seemed to be too strong for us to want to try this. The leaves are available very early in the year. Root - it can be grated and made into a sauce which is used as a horseradish substitute. It has a pungently hot flavour. Seed - used as a condiment.
Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
Condiment: the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.
Medicine
Rating: 1
The plant is antiscorbutic, depurative and stomachic. An infusion of the plant is used in the treatment of liver and kidney diseases, it increases cardiac amplitude, decreases frequency and regulates the rhythm. It is also used as a resolvent in the treatment of skin diseases.
Antiscorbutic: A plant rich in vitamin C that is used to counteract scurvy.
Depurative: Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.
Hepatic: Acts on the liver (for better or worse!).
Kidney: Used in the treatment of kidney diseases
Resolvent: Breaks down tumors. This might be placed under antitumor.
Stomachic: Aids and improves the action of the stomach.
Other
Rating: 0
Used as an insecticide. No further details are given, but it is likely to be a strong infusion of the leaves and stems that is used.
Insecticide: Kills insects.
How it is grown
A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils in sun or light shade. Plants have been surviving quite happily with us, and are still spreading freely, in dense grass that is rarely cut. Dittander was formerly cultivated as a food condiment in Britain and in ancient Greece. It is a very invasive plant, capable of spreading more than a metre per year by means of its aggressive root system. It produces new growth early in the year and so can be a useful salad ingredient in late winter.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the spring. Division in spring. Plant them out direct into their permanent positions. Division is very simple and succeeds at almost any time of the year.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Meadow; Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 5-9
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist