Scientific Name
Lepidium ramosissimum A. Nels.
Common Name
branched pepperwort (Moss, 1983); branched pepper-grass (Johnson et al., 1995).
General Description
A winter annual or biennial that grows from a taproot; the stem is branched, 10-60 cm long and hairy; bears tiny white flowers (E-Flora BC).
Leaves
Basal leaves not present when flowering; divided into leaflets (pinnate); lobes toothed; stem leaves margin entire (E-Flora BC).
Flowers
Tiny white petals (Johnson et al., 1995). Terminal inflorescence; densely hairy; petals shorter than sepals; sepals 1 mm long (E-Flora BC).
Fruits and Seeds
Pods widest at or below middle; pointed teeth at tip; hairs along edges (Johnson et al., 1995). 2.5-3 mm long (E-Flora BC).
Phenology
June to August (JSTOR).
Notes
2n=64* (Moss, 1983).
Similar species:
Lepidium densiflorum: common pepper-grass; this species can have no petals; seeds are widest above the middle with rounded teeth and no hairs (Moss, 1983; Johnson et al., 1995).
Range/Distribution
Alberta: Southern/central half of the province (Canadensys). CAN (BC, YT, NT, SK, MB, ON, QC, NL, NB); USA (AK, NY, OH, MI, WI, WA, OR, CA, NV, MT, ID, UT, AZ, WY, CO, NM, ND) (USDA).
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Page Citation
"Species Details - Lepidium ramosissimum A. Nels., University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/1-4790/12-15953. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.