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Species Details
Lepidium densiflorum Schrad.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium Read more about this collection »
LeavesBasal leaves toothed margins; divided into leaflets (pinnate); grey-green in colour; hairy; upper leaves sessile; lance-shaped; margin entire or toothed (Moss, 1983). Basal leaves in rosette; 1.5-8 cm long; absent when flowering; stem leaves alternate; smaller and simpler (Johnson et al., 1995).
FlowersUnbranched, elongated inflorescence; mature bottom upwards (raceme); numerous racemes; 5-15 cm long; dense flowers; sepals 1 mm long; petals shorter than sepals or no petals present (Moss, 1983). White (Johnson et al., 1995).
Fruits and SeedsPods 2-3.5 mm long; egg-shaped; hairless or slightly hairy; rounded at winged tip (Moss, 1983). 2 seeds per pod (Johnson et al., 1995). No beak (E-Flora BC).
Scientific Name
Lepidium densiflorum Schrad.
Common Name
common pepper-grass, prairie pepper-grass (Johnson et al., 1995).
General Description
An annual or winter annual plant with one erect stem, branched, grey-green with short hairs that grown to a height ot 20-50 cm tall; bears small white flowers (Moss, 1983).
Leaves
Basal leaves toothed margins; divided into leaflets (pinnate); grey-green in colour; hairy; upper leaves sessile; lance-shaped; margin entire or toothed (Moss, 1983). Basal leaves in rosette; 1.5-8 cm long; absent when…
Basal leaves toothed margins; divided into leaflets (pinnate); grey-green in colour; hairy; upper leaves sessile; lance-shaped; margin entire or toothed (Moss, 1983). Basal leaves in rosette; 1.5-8 cm long; absent when flowering; stem leaves alternate; smaller and simpler (Johnson et al., 1995).
Flowers
Unbranched, elongated inflorescence; mature bottom upwards (raceme); numerous racemes; 5-15 cm long; dense flowers; sepals 1 mm long; petals shorter than sepals or no petals present (Moss, 1983). White (Johnson et al., 1995).
Unbranched, elongated inflorescence; mature bottom upwards (raceme); numerous racemes; 5-15 cm long; dense flowers; sepals 1 mm long; petals shorter than sepals or no petals present (Moss, 1983). White (Johnson et al., 1995).
Fruits and Seeds
Pods 2-3.5 mm long; egg-shaped; hairless or slightly hairy; rounded at winged tip (Moss, 1983). 2 seeds per pod (Johnson et al., 1995). No beak (E-Flora BC).
Phenology
May to July (JSTOR).
Notes
2n=32 (Moss, 1983). Also known as Lepidium densiflorum var. densiflorum and Lepidium densiflorum var. macrocarpu (this species has larger fruits at 3-3.5 mm long) (Moss, 1983). Pepper-grasses have been eaten; they…
2n=32 (Moss, 1983). Also known as Lepidium densiflorum var. densiflorum and Lepidium densiflorum var. macrocarpu (this species has larger fruits at 3-3.5 mm long) (Moss, 1983). Pepper-grasses have been eaten; they have been added to salads, sandwiches and hors-d'oeuvres to add zest (Johnson et al., 1995). It has been added to soups, sauces and casseroles; pods and seeds have a stronger taste; seeds can be dried for later use; good source vitamins and minerals; vitamin C levels used to prevent scurvy (Johnson et al., 1995).
Range/Distribution
Alberta: Predominantly southern half of province (Canadensys). CAN (BC, YT, NT, SK, MB, ON, QC, NB, NS, PE, NL); USA (AK, WA, OR, CA, MT, ID, AZ, ND, SD, NE, KS, CO, NM, OK, TX, MN, IA, WI, KY, TN, MS, AL, LA, FL, SC,…
Alberta: Predominantly southern half of province (Canadensys). CAN (BC, YT, NT, SK, MB, ON, QC, NB, NS, PE, NL); USA (AK, WA, OR, CA, MT, ID, AZ, ND, SD, NE, KS, CO, NM, OK, TX, MN, IA, WI, KY, TN, MS, AL, LA, FL, SC, VA, WV, PA, MD, DE, NJ, NY, CT, RI, MA, NH, ME, VT) (USDA).
Citation
Page Citation for Lepidium densiflorum Schrad.
Page Citation
"Species Details - Lepidium densiflorum Schrad., University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/1-4789/12-201923. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.
Specimen Information
There are 77 specimens of this Species.
111083 - Lepidium densiflorum Schrad.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namecommon pepper-grass, prairie pepper-grass (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Medicine Hat
Date Collected1978-06-16
112539 - Lepidium densiflorum Schrad.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namecommon pepper-grass, prairie pepper-grass (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Redwater Natural Area
Date Collected1998-08-08
115088 - Lepidium densiflorum Schrad.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namecommon pepper-grass, prairie pepper-grass (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, Pyramid Bench
Date Collected2005-09-17
115087 - Lepidium densiflorum Schrad.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namecommon pepper-grass, prairie pepper-grass (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Dinosaur Provincial Park
Date Collected2005-09-24
119964 - Lepidium densiflorum Schrad.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namecommon pepper-grass, prairie pepper-grass (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park
Date Collected1964-08-15
9838 - Lepidium densiflorum Schrad.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namecommon pepper-grass, prairie pepper-grass (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Northwest Territories, Norman Wells
Date Collected1953-08-05
93996 - Lepidium densiflorum Schrad.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namecommon pepper-grass, prairie pepper-grass (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Northwest Territories, Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary
Date Collected1987-07-27
125431 - Lepidium densiflorum Schrad.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namecommon pepper-grass, prairie pepper-grass (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1967-07-28
125432 - Lepidium densiflorum Schrad.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namecommon pepper-grass, prairie pepper-grass (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Wainwright Dunes Ecological Reserve
Date Collected1978-06-08
125433 - Lepidium densiflorum Schrad.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namecommon pepper-grass, prairie pepper-grass (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Battle River
Date Collected1982-07-21
125434 - Lepidium densiflorum Schrad.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namecommon pepper-grass, prairie pepper-grass (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Wainwright Dunes Ecological Reserve
Date Collected1983-07-08
125435 - Lepidium densiflorum Schrad.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namecommon pepper-grass, prairie pepper-grass (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Dinosaur Provincial Park, Little Sandhill Creek
Date Collected2006-06-07
127109 - Lepidium densiflorum Schrad.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namecommon pepper-grass, prairie pepper-grass (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Kinsella Ranch
Date Collected2010-07-01
42015 - Lepidium densiflorum Schrad.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namecommon pepper-grass, prairie pepper-grass (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Iron River
Date Collected1971-06-06
9830 - Lepidium densiflorum Schrad.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namecommon pepper-grass, prairie pepper-grass (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Manyberries
Date Collected1946-06-12
9834 - Lepidium densiflorum Schrad.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namecommon pepper-grass, prairie pepper-grass (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Lac La Biche
Date Collected1953-06-23
58278 - Lepidium densiflorum Schrad.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namecommon pepper-grass, prairie pepper-grass (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Craigmyle
Date Collected1942-06-20
57969 - Lepidium densiflorum Schrad.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namecommon pepper-grass, prairie pepper-grass (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Wabamun
Date Collected1954-08-28
57970 - Lepidium densiflorum Schrad.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namecommon pepper-grass, prairie pepper-grass (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Devil's Head Lake
Date Collected1899-08-09
9831 - Lepidium densiflorum Schrad.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namecommon pepper-grass, prairie pepper-grass (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Fort Saskatchewan
Date Collected1940-07-05
21250 - Lepidium densiflorum Schrad.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namecommon pepper-grass, prairie pepper-grass (Johnson et al., 1995).
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Elk Island National Park, Astotin Lake
Date Collected1959-06-20