Desert Pepperweed (Lepidium fremontii)

Family: Brassicaceae or Cruciferae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Lepidium fremontii is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Spring, Early Summer, Late Summer, Fall, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

flavouring. — Young leaves - raw or cooked.; A hot cress-like flavour.; Seed - dried and ground into a powder which can be used as a mush or mixed with cereal flours to make bread.; The seed can also be used as a flavouring.

Habitat & North American Range

Rocky or sandy places in scrub or woods below 1500 metres in California. (Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)