Death Valley Plants

Hairy Whitetop

Lepidium appelianum

Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)

Description: Also known as Hoary Cress, Globe-Podded Whitetop, or Lens-Podded Hoarycress, this perennial herb may grow to a height of two to four feet. Spreading by rhyzomes a single plant may fill up an area twelve feet in diameter in a single year. Leaves clasp stem and may be arrow shaped to oblong or lanceolate. Flowers form in clusters and are white. Fruits are small globes, each containing a single seed.

Habitat: Found throughout much of North America this plant requires moderate moisture and will grow at elevations up to 8000 feet.

Flowering Season: Flowers form from April through September.

Comments: Also often listed as Cardaria pubescens. This invasive weed originated in central Asia and was first observed in North America in 1916.

Additional Sightings:

	Hairy Whitetop Lepidium appelianum `Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)` Description: Also known as Hoary Cress, Globe-Podded Whitetop, or Lens-Podded Hoarycress, this perennial herb may grow to a height of two to four feet. Spreading by rhyzomes a single plant may fill up an area twelve feet in diameter in a single year. Leaves clasp stem and may be arrow shaped to oblong or lanceolate. Flowers form in clusters and are white. Fruits are small globes, each containing a single seed. Habitat: Found throughout much of North America this plant requires moderate moisture and will grow at elevations up to 8000 feet. Flowering Season: Flowers form from April through September. Comments: Also often listed as Cardaria pubescens. This invasive weed originated in central Asia and was first observed in North America in 1916. Additional Sightings: