Wild pepperwort, Virginian pepperwort, Wild pepper-grass, Virginia cress
Lepidium virginicum
Family: Brassicaceae
What it is like
A cabbage family herb. It is an annual plant. It grows 30-50 cm high. The leaves near the base are lyre shaped and can have lobes. These can be 8 cm long. They are rough with short bristles. The leaves on the stems are simple and have sharp teeth. The fruit is a pod 3 mm long and 3 mm wide. It is almost round but with a notch at the end.
Plant reportedly has a high Vitamin C content. There are about 150 Lepidium species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows fields, roadsides, waste places, grassy areas; near sea level to 1000 m. altitude in China. It is native to North America; introduced elsewhere. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Alaska, Albania, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Azores, Bahamas, Balkans, Belgium, Bhutan, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Central America, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Europe, Finland, France, Germany, Guiana, Guianas, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Lesser Antilles, Luxembourg, Marquesas, Mediterranean, Mexico, Netherlands, New Caledonia, Niue, North America, Northeastern India, Norway, Pacific, Pakistan, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Samoa, Scandinavia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South America, Spain, St Lucia, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tonga, USA, Vanuatu, Venezuela, West Indies (country/location of origin), Yugoslavia
How it is used for food
The leaves and shoots are added to salads and eaten. They are also cooked and eaten. The unripe pods are chopped and mixed with vinegar and used for their pungent flavour in soups and stews. The seeds can be used as a substitute for pepper.
It is sold in local markets.
Edible parts
Leaves, seeds - spice, stems
How it is grown
Plants can be grown by seeds.
Its other names
Local names
Pierna de vieja