Field Pepperweed

Lepidium campestre

Weed Description
A winter annual that overwinters as a rosette and produces flowering stems in the spring. Found throughout the United States.

Seedlings
Cotyledons occur on petioles, are hairless, 12-15 mm long, and oval. Young leaves are alternate on long petioles and circular in outline.

Leaves
Rosette leaves and lower stem leaves are rounded but taper to the base. Margins may be either lobed, toothed, or entire. Upper stem leaves do not have petioles (sessile) and are clasping at the base. All leaves covered with short hairs.

Stems
Flowering stems may reach 2 feet in height and are covered with short hairs.

Flowers
Occur collectively in racemes that may reach 6 inches in length. Individual flowers are 2 mm long, have 4 white or greenish-white petals, are inconspicuous, and occur on 4-8 mm long stalks (pedicels).

Fruit
Many silicles that are ovate in outline, 5-6 mm long, 4 mm wide, with a winged structure at the apex.

Roots
Taproot.

Identifying Characteristics
Unique seedhead and clasping stem leaves. Virginia Pepperweed (Lepidium virginicum) is similar in appearance but does not have clasping stem leaves and has fruit that are flat and round, unlike the oval and more robust fruit of field pepperweed. Field Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) is also similar but has leaves that are hairless and has fruit that are more flattened than those of field pepperweed.

Trouble identifying a weed?

For additional assistance identifying weeds, contact Dr. Kevin Braldly, State Extension Weed Scientist (bradleyke@missouri.edu).

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Field Pepperweed

Lepidium campestre

Trouble identifying a weed?