Lepidium graminifolium

Grassleaf pepperweed

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Description

Lepidium graminifolium is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in). It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Edible Uses

Young leaves - raw or cooked. A hot cress-like flavour.

Distribution

Mediterranean region to the Near East. An occasionally established casual in Britain.

Where It Grows

TEMPERATE ASIA: Lebanon, Syria, Turkey EUROPE: Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Latvia, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Algeria (north), Morocco

Cultivation

We have almost no information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors at least in the milder parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in most soils.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring.