Lepidium
TaxonLepidium
AuthorityL. (1753)
Subdivision ranksSpecies
Subdivision265, see text

Lepidium is a genus of plants in the mustard/cabbage family, Brassicaceae. The genus is widely distributed in the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Australia.[1] It includes familiar species such as garden cress, maca, and dittander. General common names include peppercress, peppergrass, pepperweed, and pepperwort. Some species form tumbleweeds.[2] The genus name Lepidium is from Greek meaning 'small scale', which is thought to be derived from a folk medicine usage of the plant to treat leprosy, which cause small scales on the skin. Another meaning is related to the small scale-like fruit.[3]

Species

Plants of the World Online accepts 265 species in the genus.[4] 10 species are found in California.[3]

Species include:

See also

References

  1. ^ Lepidium. Flora of North America.
  2. ^ Faulkner, H. W. (1917). The Mysteries of the Flowers. Frederick A. Stokes company. p. 238 page 210
  3. ^ Sia Morhardt and Emil Morhardt California Desert Flowers: An Introduction to Families, Genera, and Species
  4. ^ Lepidium L. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  5. ^ Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden. 20 Dec 2011
  6. ^ Hagwood, Sheri. "Sensitive Plants of the JRA". Idaho BLM. Archived from the original on 3 May 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2014.