Virginia Pepperweed
ExplorePlants
Virginia Pepperweed
lepidium virginicum
Virginia Pepperweed is a fun plant that can grow up to 3 feet tall! Its tiny white flowers and peppery taste make it a favorite among adventurous eaters.
Habitat: Virginia Pepperweed grows in disturbed areas, such as fields, roadsides, and gardens.
Appearance
The Virginia Pepperweed has a slender, often branching stem with small, toothed green leaves that form a rosette at its base. Tiny white flowers bloom in clusters along the stem, followed by distinctive flat, round seedpods resembling miniature flying saucers.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderBrassicalesFamilyBrassicaceaeGenusLepidium
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Its tiny seeds taste surprisingly like black pepper, a real spice bomb!
Look closely at its flowers; they're so small, they're often smaller than a ladybug!
The name 'pepperweed' comes from the peppery zing of its leaves and seeds!
This plant is a wild cousin to broccoli and cabbage, part of the mustard family!
Special abilities
Ability
Survival Sprout
Virginia Pepperweed can sprout and grow quickly in many different soils, helping it survive and thrive even in tough spots.
Ability
Peppery Punch
This plant has a spicy flavor from mustard oils, which can deter some hungry animals and make it taste interesting.
Ability
Wind Wanderer Seeds
Its flat, disc-like seedpods are perfectly shaped to catch the wind, helping them travel far to find new homes.
Ability
Year-Round Explorer
Virginia Pepperweed can keep its leaves green even in mild winters, allowing it to gather sunlight when other plants can't.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-60 cm
- Spread
- 10-30 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.2-0.3 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring to Fall (April-October)
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Visits its tiny flowers for nectar and pollen.
eaten by
American Goldfinch
Carduelis tristis
Feeds on the nutritious, disc-shaped seeds.
eaten by
Cabbage White Butterfly
Pieris rapae
Its caterpillars munch on the peppery leaves.
Traits
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
PeppergrassVirginia PepperwortWild Pepperweed
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Virginia Pepperweed?
10-60 cm
How wide does Virginia Pepperweed spread?
10-30 cm
How big are the flowers on Virginia Pepperweed?
0.2-0.3 cm
When does Virginia Pepperweed bloom?
Spring to Fall (April-October)
Is Virginia Pepperweed edible?
Yes
Is Virginia Pepperweed toxic?
None
What is Virginia Pepperweed's lifecycle?
Annual
How is Virginia Pepperweed pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
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Recent Snaps
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Where to spot
Park108 sightings5 species
Virginia, US
Raglan Road Park
You might spot Pinkladies, Hickories, and Japanese Aucuba.
View guide →
Park21 sightings4 species
Florida, US
Cherry Tree Park
You might spot Passiflora 'scarlet Flame' and Carolina Burying Beetle.
View guide →
Park76 sightings3 species
Virginia, US
Wickford Park
You might spot Echinacea, Southern Wild Raisin, and American Sweetgum.
View guide →
