Calepina

Calepina irregularis

Weed Description
An erect winter annual that produces a basal rosette of leaves and leaves that occur along a flowering stem. This weed is fairly rare and has been introduced into both Virginia and North Carolina probably as a contaminant of alfalfa seed. Calepina is fairly localized to Goochland, Powhatan, Cumberland, and Amelia counties in Virginia and to Buncombe County in North Carolina. It is primarily a weed of alfalfa.

Leaves
Initially plants develop a basal rosette of leaves. Basal leaves are oval to lanceolate in outline but widest at the apex of the leaf and tapering to the base. Basal leaves range from 3/4 to 4 inches in length and rarely reach more than 3/4 inch in width The basal leaves are deeply lobed and have a prominent white midvein. Leaves that occur along the flowering stems are much smaller than the basal leaves, ranging from 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches in length. These upper leaves are not lobed like those of the basal rosette, but have toothed margins. Leaves may be either without hairs (glabrous) or with a few hairs on the leaf undersides.

Stems
Erect, branching, ranging from 4 to 20 inches in height but usually around 4-8 inches. Stems are mostly without hairs but may have a few hairs toward the base.

Flowers
Occur in clusters at the ends of the erect flowering stems. Each flower occurs on a flower stalk (peduncle) and is white in color.

Fruit
A silique. Siliques contain a single seed.

Roots
A taproot and fibrous root system.

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Calepina

Calepina irregularis