Perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium)



  • Perennial Pepperweed Plant 215x150

Category C Weed

Mustard family (Brassicaceae)

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    Stem

    • Up to 6 ft. tall, semi-woody, waxy and lacks hair (glabrous); many stems can arise from each crown often branched near top; branches arise from leaf axils

      Leaves

      • Alternate, oval to lance-shaped, mostly 3-12 in. long, 1-3 in. wide, green to gray-green, lack hair and waxy; edges (margins) smooth to toothed and can also be curled; leaf bases DO NOT clasp stem; lower leaves larger than upper leaves

        Flower

        • Small and white with 4 petals; arranged in dense clusters at the tips of stems

        • Seed pods are round, flattened, less than 0.1 in. diameter, usually covered with hairs; each has 2 chambers, each with 1 seed

          Root

          • Creeping root system

            Other

            • Grows best on moist sites; often found in floodplains, pastures, meadows, hay fields and along waterways; known to occur in all Nevada counties

            • Perennial; reproduces by roots and seed

            • Also known as tall whitetop

              Control

              • Mowing, digging, tillage, burning and grazing established stands are NOT effective

              • Apply metsulfuron or chlorsulfuron to actively growing plants through early-bloom; imazapic from full-bloom until plants become necrotic; 2,4-D and glyphosate at bud to flower can be effective if repeated for several years

                Images

                Perennial Pepperweed Infestation 215x150
                Infestation
                Perennial Pepperweed Plant 215x150
                Mature Plant
                Perennial Pepperweed Flower 215x150
                Flowers
                Perennial Pepperweed Leaves Stem 215x150
                Leaves on stem
                Perennial Pepperweed Seedling 215x150
                Seedling
                Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide
                Nevada Noxious Weed Guide