Hoary Pepperwort, Whitetop
Cardaria draba

Family: Brassicaceae

What it is like

A cabbage family herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It has a stout taproot. It also has a tough, woody, much-branched root system. New shoots can develop from these side roots. The plant grows to 90 cm high. The stem is usually unbranched except just near the top. The leaves are oblong or oval and covered with flattened hairs. The leaves do not have stalks and clasp the stem. The flowers are in a flat topped panicle. The petals are white. The fruit are heart shaped. The fruit separates from the plant as a single seeded nutlet.

Declared noxious weed in Victoria. It does not contain oxalic acid in samples in Spain.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows on mountain slopes, roadsides, fields, agricultural lands, river banks, pastures and waste areas near sea level to 4200 m in China. It is drought and frost resistant. It can grow in arid places. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Belgium, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, Central Asia (country/location of origin), Chile, China, Egypt, Europe, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kashmir, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Middle East, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, South Africa, South America, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

Young shoots and leaves are eaten in salads or as a potherb. They are roasted and used in pies. The pungent seeds are used as a seasoning. They are a substitute for pepper.

Edible parts

Leaves, stems, seeds - spice

How it is grown

Plants are grown by seed.

Its other names

Local names

Blanquilla, Cardaria, Cranson rampant, Hoary cress, Kediotu, Owen ci, Srdasica, Toklubas, Wanci, Wancy, Wency, White weed

Synonyms

Lepidium draba L.;