Perennial Pepperweed

(Lepidium latifolium)

 COMMON NAME, Tall whitetop

Photos

Rosette

rosette

Growing plant

IMG_E2032

Mature plants

IMG_2031

Flower

flower

Leaves

PerennialPepperweed

Seeds

20807

BACKGROUND

Native to southern Europe and western Asia, perennial Pepperweed is commonly found in wet drainage areas of waste areas, ditches, roadsides, and crop lands.

DESCRIPTION

Perennial Pepperweed grows from 1 to 6 feet tall. It is a creeping perennial and has spreading lateral rootstocks. Leaves have smooth to lightly toothed margins. Stems and leaves are waxy. Four-petaled white flowers form dense clusters at the end of branches. Flowering takes place from summer into early fall. Seeds form in round, flattened two chambered pods.

CONTROL

Biocontrol research is in early stages. Select herbicides can offer fair to good control when applied to actively growing plants up to prebloom.