Lepidium latifolium

Taxonomy and growth

Family

Brassicaceae

Genus

Lepidium

Life cycle

perennial

Height

1.2 m

Spread

1 m

Fertility

Insects

Flower type

hermaphrodite

Pollinators

Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaves - raw or cooked^[5][8][9]. A very hot cress-like flavour[K]. The leaves are nice when used in small quantities as a flavouring in salads[K]. Some reports also suggest using them as a potherb^[4], though they have always seemed to be too strong for us to want to try this[K]. The leaves are available very early in the year[K]. Root - it can be grated and made into a sauce which is used as a horseradish substitute^[5][7][4]. It has a pungently hot flavour. Seed - used as a condiment^[3][4].

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 plant is antiscorbutic, depurative and stomachic^[8][6]. An infusion of the plant is used in the treatment of liver and kidney diseases, it increases cardiac amplitude, decreases frequency and regulates the rhythm^[6]. It is also used as a resolvent in the treatment of skin diseases^[6].

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Used as an insecticide^[1]. No further details are given, but it is likely to be a strong infusion of the leaves and stems that is used.

Environment

Range

Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to N. Africa and W. Asia.

Habitat

Salt marshes and wet sands^[2] on the south and east coasts^[7].

Light

full sun

Shade tolerance

light shade

Water

moderate

Hardiness

Zone 6+

Soil textures

sandy, loamy, clay

Soil pH

acid, neutral, alkaline

Tolerances

high wind, maritime exposure

Wind

Yes

Maritime

Yes

Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil

No

Drought

intolerant

Salinity

tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils in sun or light shade. Plants have been surviving quite happily with us, and are still spreading freely, in dense grass that is rarely cut[K]. Dittander was formerly cultivated as a food condiment in Britain and in ancient Greece^[2][4]. It is a very invasive plant, capable of spreading more than a metre per year by means of its aggressive root system[K]. It produces new growth early in the year and so can be a useful salad ingredient in late winter[K].

Related plants

• Lepidium apetalum
• Lepidium campestrePepperwort
• Lepidium chilense
• Lepidium densiflorumCommon Pepperweed

References

1. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

   ↩

2. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

   ↩1↩2

3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

   ↩

4. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

   ↩1↩2↩3↩4

5. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

   ↩1↩2

6. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

   ↩1↩2↩3

7. Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5

   ↩1↩2

8. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

   ↩1↩2

9. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

   ↩