Lepidium virginicum

 

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Herb for id 280411MK1:

Date/Time-	09-04-2011 / 05:00 PM
Location- Place, Altitude, GP	ca.2000asl; Kotagiri, TN
Habitat- Garden/ Urban/ Wild/ Type-	weed in tea estate
Plant Habit-	herb
Height/Length-	15-20 cm long
Leaves Type/ Shape/ Size-	ca.5 x 0.5 cm
Inflorescence Type/ Size-	terminal raceme; c. 6 cm long
Flowers Size/ Colour/ Calyx/ Bracts-	0.2 – 0.3 cm across
Fruits Type/ Shape/ Size Seeds-	0.3cm long

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Some species of Lepidium: Perhaps L. apetalum, although I can see some petals, otherwise L. pinnatifidum, if petals 2/3 as long as sepals and lower leaves pinnatifid. In both mature fruit should be 2-3 mm broad.

Kindly refer Dr.Gurucharan Singh’s recent posting of Lepidium sp. at efi thread

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I think the plant is Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medikus belonging to Brassicaceae (earlier called Cruciferae). The plant is commonly called Shepherd’s purse, so-called because of the shape of the fruit, which resembles the purse used by European shepherds in ancient times. The plant occurs as a weed in cool temperate Himalayas and Nilgiri mountains of S. India. I am attaching some photos of the species taken from a website and along with one of your photos.

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Capsella bursa-pastoris is a totally different plant with a very distinctive triangular notch, hence the name Shepherd’s purse. There are no attachments of Balakrishna ji here but I am sending mine for both Lepidium and Capsella. The two can simply not be confused.

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Looking at the length of petals and winged upper part of fruit, it may well be Lepidium virginicum

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… is correct. It is a Lepidium. There are three species of Lepidium reported from Tamil Nadu, L. ruderale L. (Roadside Pepper cress), L. sativum L. (Garden cress) and L. virginicum L. (Virginian Pepper cress). The other species are North Indian and Himalayan. The exact identification can be done only by examining fresh plants and floral parts. Please refer to Flora of India, vol 2, pp.199 – 209. 1993.

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Appears closer to Lepidium virginicum L. as per images of …

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I seem to have seen it earlier but can’t recollect the name.

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its raceme is highly branched, from the main stem as seen in your pictures. a weed found all over usa. its edible.

one of the plants we learn about when we learn living off of the wild ernes and urban foraging

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Field penny cress is not edible, accumulates toxic metals. useful in remediation of soil. its branching but not as extensively as the pepperweed.

and its it is based on the seed pod

I quote ”

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The seed pods are flat, round, and at least ⅓″ long when mature. They are notched at the tip, the notch much deeper than it is wide. There is a distinct separation between the outer, papery winged margin of the pod and the two seeds it contains. The large size and shape of the pods is the plant’s most distintive feature.” end quote from url: http://www.minnesotaseasons.com/Plants/field_pennycress.html

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ONE NEEDS BETTER SHARP PICTURES OF THE SEED PODS TO SEE THE WINGS AND THE NOTCH

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Read the identification section of this page

to see if you can see the points I have made.

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Thanks for correcting me and the additional information including the distinguishing features.

I am not at all familiar with the flora of US. 

Just tried to capture whatever I could in a short available time.

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You are welcome. 

do you have original pictures that you can perhaps enlarge and look at the capsules

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Yes, I do have the original pictures.

Thanks, will look it up.

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