Scientific Family
Brassicaceae
Synonyms
Lepidium draba, Lepidium draba ssp. draba
Other common names
whitecap
globed-podded hoarycress
heart-pod pepperwort
peppergrass
pepperweed whitetop
whiteweed
heart-pod hoarycress
hoary chess
hoary cress
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Introduced
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
To 2 feet
Riparian
No
Erect perennial up to 2 feet tall with a thick taproot. Vigorously spreads by creeping roots. Flower clusters numerous, dense, commonly forming a white top across the summit of the plant.
Plants rhizomatous; fruits flattened, heart-shaped to kidney-shaped, valves net-veined; flower stems not much-elongated in fruit; flowers have 6 stamens; petals present (distinct); basal leaf blades, margins usually entire, toothed.
Habitat
Mountain slopes, roadsides, fields, agricultural lands, stream sides, disturbed grounds, pastures, waste areas.
Plant Community
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
0
High elevation
10800
Flower Characteristics
Flowers in dense, branched clusters which are borne terminally on the stems. Clusters numerous, often forming a white top across the apex of the plant. Sepals 4, whitish green, to 1/8 inch long. Petals 4, white, spreading to 1/4 inch long.
Flower color
White
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
July
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves ascending or upright, stalkless, to 3-1/2 inches long, to 1-1/2 inches wide, reduced in size up the stem, oblong to lance-shaped or egg-shaped, bases lobed, tips pointed, sometimes irregularly toothed, densely hairy. Stems multiple from base.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
Yes
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
A short, indehiscent pod (silicle), to 1/8 inch long, to 1/4 inch wide, nearly spherical, tip pointed, base heart-shaped, somewhat flattened, hairless or nearly so, evenly divided into two valves.
Fruit type
Pod
Seeds one per chamber, round.