BERBERIDACEAE -- Barberry Family - New Mexico Flores

Scientific Name:
Lepidium alyssoides var. eastwoodiae
Size:
40 - 100 cm
BRASSICACEAE -- Mustard Family
Description:
Erect perennial herb, woody at the base, stems 1
to several from above ground root crown,
usually unbranched below the flowers, with
short hairs or glabrous. Basal leaves smoothedged,
to pinnately lobed, less than 10 cm long.
Stem leaves alternate, smooth-edged, narrowly
lanceolate to oblanceolate, 4 – 7 mm wide.
Flowers numerous, perfect, on short stalks at
branch and stem ends. Sepals 4, oblong or
ovate, with a broad white margin. Petals 4, 2 –
3 mm long, obovate to almost round. Stamens
6. Fruit glabrous, ovate, 3 – 4 mm long,
notched at the apex, with a style protruding
from the notch.
158
Common Name:
Pepperweed, peppergrass
Color:
White
Notes:
The genus Lepidium contains about 175 species
with natives on every continent in the world
except Australia. North America has 38
species. New Mexico has 12 species and a total
of 16 varieties. The common name pepperweed
derives from the pungent, peppery flavor of the
leaves and especially the seeds, which are used
as a pepper. Pepperweed blooms from June into
September between 4000 and 7500 ft.
New Mexico Native