Flower ID: IMG_7972.JPG-07-21-2021 Flower name (scientific): Lepidium virginicum Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) le-PID-ee-um (or lep-ID-e-um or lep-ID-i-um) ver-JIN-ih-kum Flower name (common): Virginia Peppergrass Family name (common): Mustard Family name (scientific): Brassicaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Greek λεπίδιον (lepidion) meaning scale, for the shape of the seed pods. Specific epithet: Of or from Virginia. Common name origin: The habitat of the type specimen used by Linnaeus was from Virginia. Peppergrass was used to describe a number sharp-tasting plants including Lepidium virginicum, which were used in salads. These plants being in the Brassicaceae family. Flower description: Size: 0.1 to 0.2 inches (3 to 5 mm) Petal count: 4 Color: white Other: flower arrangement, Raceme Plant description: Size: 6 to 24 inches (15 to 61 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple and lobed Size: Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, basal spatulate, or oblanceolate, cauline oblanceolate or linear (FNA), cauline oblanceolate or obovate (IL), basal linear to oblanceolate or elliptic to obovate (MP) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): May to September Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Annual/Biennial Habitat: Disturbed areas, waste places, roadsides, fields, prairies, sun or semi-shade, dry to moist. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Lepidium campestre (Field Pepper-weed, Field Cress) and Lepidium densiflorum (Green-flowered Peppergrass, Prairie Pepper-weed, Small Peppergrass) have some resemblance to Lepidium virginicum. Lepidium densiflorum has 4 white petals shorter than sepals or no petals, Lepidium campestre has 4 white petals as long or longer than the sepals, leaves clasping the stem, and stems densely pubescent with short hairs, whereas Lepidium virginicum has 4 white petals that are longer than the sepals, leaves not clasping the stem, and stems pubescent with tiny hairs. Ethnobotany: The Menominee employed this plant to treat poison ivy rash (Smith, p. 33, 1923). Latitude: 44.801597 Longitude: -91.500052 Altitude: 237.20 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Dunn, Eau Claire, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Outagamie, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (BC, NB, NF, NS, ON, PE, QC) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym:Lepidium virginicum subsp. virginicum (The other infraspecific is Lepidium virginicum subsp. menziesii (de Candolle) Thellung. This subspecies is found mostly in the western region of North America.) Wetland Status (NC): FACU Wetland Status (MW): FACU