Perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium)
Keys to ID:
- White flowers in dense clusters near the ends of branches.
- Reddish-brown, rounded, flattened, slightly hairy seeds.
Identification:
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Growth Form: Forb
- Flower: White, dense clusters near the ends of branches, occurring early summer to fall.
- Seeds/Fruit: 2 seeds per fruit; reddish-brown, rounded, flattened, slightly hairy seeds. Fruits remain on plant, dropping throughout winter months.
- Leaves: Lance-shaped, bright green to gray-green, and entire or toothed. Basal leaves are stalked, up to a foot long and 3 inches wide and have serrate margins. Stem leaves are smaller, ranging from 3 to 10 inches in length, tapered at the base, and entire to weakly serrate.
- Stems: 3 to 4 feet in height; multiple stemmed and stiffly erect masses. Base of stem is semi-woody.
- Roots: Roots are creeping, and enlarged at the soil line creating a woody crown. Root length is dependant of soil tilth, but can be up to 6 feet.
- Propagation: New plants grow from creeping roots.
Control:
Hand-pull or till seedlings. Dig out established plants, removing as much root as possible, as root segments as small as 1 inch may re-sprout. Persistence and planting quick-growing competitive plants are key.
Cautions:
Some people are allergic to the flowers.