Perfoliate pepperwort (Lepidium perfoliatum, Sp. Pl.: 643 (1753))

Family: Brassicaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 643 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Lepidium

Vegetable: False

Observations: EC. & SE. Europe to SW. Siberia and Pakistan

Description

Perfoliate pepperwort, scientifically known as Lepidium perfoliatum, is a fascinating species belonging to the Brassicaceae family. It was first described in the seminal botanical work “Species Plantarum,” published in 1753 by the renowned Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, often cited as L.

This distinctive plant is primarily found across a broad geographical range extending from the ecological and cultural regions of East-Central and Southeast Europe, stretching through to the southwestern expanse of Siberia, and reaching as far as Pakistan. This distribution indicates Lepidium perfoliatum‘s adaptability to various climatic conditions and terrains, showcasing its evolutionary success in diverse environments.

The plant is characterized by its unique morphology, particularly its perfoliate leaves—hence the common name ‘Perfoliate pepperwort’. These leaves are notable for their circular, clasping form that appears to pierce the stem, creating a rather uncommon and intriguing visual. This morphological trait is not just aesthetically appealing but also gives the plant a distinctive identity among other members of the Brassicaceae family.

Lepidium perfoliatum, like many in its family, may possess properties typical of pepperworts, such as a potential culinary use for flavoring or medicinal purposes in traditional practices, although specific uses can vary based on regional practices and the availability of the plant.

For botanists, horticulturists, and those with a keen interest in plant biodiversity, perfoliate pepperwort provides an excellent case study of plant adaptation and geographical spread. Its presence across such a wide range of areas highlights the importance of studying plant species in the context of their environments and the ecological dynamics that govern their distribution and growth.

In summary, Lepidium perfoliatum stands out not only for its distinctive leaf structure but also for its extensive regional presence, making it a noteworthy subject in the study of plant ecology and systematics within the Brassicaceae family.

Common Names

Eng: clasping pepperweed, perfoliate pepperwort, clasping pepperwort, clasping-leaved peppergrass, clasping peppergrass, perfoliate peppergrass, round-leaved peppergrass, yellow-flowered peppergrass
Deu: durchwachsenblättrige kresse, durchwachsene kresse
Dan: hjertebladet karse
Fra: passerage perfoliée, lépidie perfoliée
Swe: hjulkrassing
Lav: skaujlapu cietķērsa, skraujlapu cietķērsa
Ces: řeřicha prorostlá
Nld: doorgroeide kruidkers
Cym: pupurlys trydwll
En: Perfoliate pepperwort, Clasping pepperwort, Clasping pepperweed, Clasping leaf pepperweed, Claspingleaf pepperweed, Clasping-leaved peppergrass, Clasping peppergrass, Perfoliate peppergrass, Round-leaved peppergrass, Yellow-flowered peppergrass
Az: Dəlikyarpaq bozalaq
Be: Клапоўнік разналісты
Bg: Пронизанолистна горуха
Zh: 抱茎独行菜
Cs: Řeřicha prorostlá
Da: Hjertebladet karse
Nl: Doorgroeide kruidkers
Et: Kaeluskress
Fi: Sepiväkrassi, Sepokrassi
Fr: Passerage perfoliée, Lépidie perfoliée
De: Durchwachsene Kresse, Durchwachsenblättrige Kresse
It: Lepidio perfogliato
Lv: Skaujlapu cietķērsa, Skraujlapu cietķērsa
Es: Mastuerzo mayor
Sv: Hjulkrassing
Zh-tw: 抱莖獨行菜
Zh-hant: 抱莖獨行菜
Cy: Pupurlys trydwll

Synonyms

• Thlaspi heterophyllum (Cav.)
• Nasturtium perfoliatum ((L.) Besser)
• Alyssum heterophyllum (Ruiz & Pav. ex DC.)
• Crucifera diversifolia (E.H.L.Krause)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krym (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Algeria (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Belarus (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• Buryatiya (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Krasnoyarsk (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Northwest European R (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Aug 25, 2021 by Gilles Istin (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2022 by Шамхалов Магомед (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2022 by Шамхалов Магомед (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2020 by BP Nacho (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2022 by Шамхалов Магомед (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 17, 2021 by Donald P. (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 11, 2022 by Ирина Демон (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2022 by Шамхалов Магомед (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2022 by Шамхалов Магомед (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2022 by Шамхалов Магомед (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2022 by Шамхалов Магомед (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Aug 25, 2021 by Gilles Istin (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2021 by Donald P. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2022 by Шамхалов Магомед (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2022 by Camellia Rusticana (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Mar 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Mar 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Mar 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Mar 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5376816)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:286336-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lepidium perfoliatum L.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 3

Soil nutriments: 5

Soil salinity: 2