Lepidium intermedium
A.Gray.
gbif· cc0
Spooner
gbif· cc0
Spooner
gbif· cc0
Spooner
Description
Lepidium intermedium is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). 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 moist soil.
Edible Uses
Condiment. Young leaves - raw or cooked. A hot cress-like flavour. Seed - dried and ground into a powder which can be used as a mush or mixed with cereal flours to make bread. The seed can also be used as a flavouring.
Distribution
Western N. America.
Where It Grows
NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (British Columbia), United States (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah), Mexico (Baja California (Norte), Chihuahua, Coahuila de Zaragoza, San Luis Potosí, Sonora, Hidalgo, México, Morelos, Puebla)
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 in most parts of the country. This species is almost certainly a synonym for L. virginianum. 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.
