Narrow Leaved Peppergrass, Rroadside pepperweed
Lepidium ruderale
Family: Brassicaceae or Cruciferae
What it is like
Lepidium ruderale is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). It is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). The plant is self-fertile. 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 by waysides, generally by the sea and especially in E. Anglia.
Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to the Mediterranean and southwest Asia.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Young leaves - raw or cooked. A hot cress-like flavour.
Medicine
Rating: 1
The plant is used in the treatment of impetigo. An aqueous extract of the herb causes a drop in blood pressure and depresses respiration.
Hypotensive: Reduces blood pressure, it is used in the treatment of high blood pressure
Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring or late summer in situ. The seed should germinate 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