Lepidium apetalum
an annual or biennial member of the Lepidium genus in the family Brassicaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Genus
- Lepidium
- Life cycle
- annual, biennial
- Height
- 0.3 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Young leaves - raw or cooked[1][3]. A hot cress-like flavour.
- Plant part
- Leaves
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The seed is antiasthmatic, antitussive, diuretic and purgative[2][4]. The seed is also cardiotonic[2][4]. A decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of asthma, coughs, nausea, oedema and pleurisy[2][4]. The root is decocted with other herbs and used as an expectorant[4]. The plant contains antibacterial substances[4].
- Product or use
- Antiasthmatic
- Product or use
- Antibacterial
- Product or use
- Antitussive
- Product or use
- Cardiotonic
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Expectorant
- Product or use
- Purgative
Environment
- Range
- Europe to E. Asia - China and Korea.
- Habitat
- Steppes, solonetzic soils, roadsides and weed-infested places[6]. Roadsides, slopes, waste places, ravines, plains and fields at elevations of 400 - 4800 metres in China[5].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow spring in situ. Germination should take place within 3 weeks.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
We have almost no information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in most soils.
References
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00