Lepidium latifolium

Lepidium latifolium_perennial pepperweed_JM DiTomaso
Photo: Joseph DiTomaso

Synonyms: Cardaria latifolia (L.) Spach

Common names: perennial pepperweed; tall whitetop; broadleaved pepperweed

Lepidium latifolium (perennial pepperweed, tall whitetop) is a perennial herb (family Brassicaceae) that is native to Eurasia and found in moist or seasonally wet sites throughout California. Perennial pepperweed grows very aggressively, forming dense colonies that exclude native species. It reproduces both by seed and vegetatively from its roots and small root fragments. Seeds and root fragments are spread easily by flooding and soil movement, and seeds stick to tires, shoes, and animals, making continued dispersion difficult to avoid. Perennial pepperweed also increases soil salinity, reducing germination of many desirable species. It is a state-listed noxious weed in California and many other western states.

Cal-IPC Rating: High?

CDFA Rating: -*?

Assessment(s)

Plant Assessment Form - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.

Species ID Card

Invasive Species ID Card - To support field identification of early detection species, Cal-IPC has designed a set of Species ID cards that can be downloaded, printed double-sided, and trimmed to size.

Special Reports

Weed Management Notes

  • Management Notes - Information on management techniques and effectiveness from the University of California Cooperative Extension’s Weed Research & Information Center.

Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles

Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations

Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.

Other Lepidium latifolium Information

  • Bugwood - National database from the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia.
  • CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
  • Calflora - Distribution map and records of this species in California.
  • CalWeedMapper - Distribution map of this species in California with ability to determine regional priorities.
  • EDDMapS - Distribution of this species in North America.
  • Jepson Interchange - Information on this plant's taxonomy, biology, and distribution from UC Berkeley's Jepson Herbarium.
  • USDA PLANTS Database - Information on identification and distribution, with links to websites in individual states.
  • Additional photos

    Lepidium latifolium_flower_copyright 2021_CDFA
    Lepidium latifolium (perennial pepperweed) flower. Photo: &#169 2021 CDFA
    Lepidium latifolium_growth habit_copyright 2021_CDFA
    Lepidium latifolium (perennial pepperweed) growth habit. Photo: &#169 2021 CDFA