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Lepidium sativum

Species category

Vegetable

Common name

gardencress pepperweed

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

True seedTrue seed:
A mature fertilized ovule consisting of an embryo, with or without and external food reserve (e.g., endosperm) enclosed by the testa.

Shape

Compressed obovateObovate:
Inverted egg shaped with apical end the broadest.

Size

  • Length 3 mm
  • Width 1.25 mm
  • Thickness 1 mm

Color

Brown

Texture

Dull and moderately smooth

Other structures

Groove between lobes at the base

Identification notes

Seeds compressed obovateObovate:
Inverted egg shaped with apical end the broadest.
 with radicleRadicle:
The rudimentary root of the embryo, developing into the primary root after emergence from the seed coat.
 lobe margin curved and cotyledonCotyledon:
The modified storage leaf or pair of leaves of an embryo and seedling (see primary leaf).
 lobe margin straight. Color brown and surface smooth yet dull. CotyledonCotyledon:
The modified storage leaf or pair of leaves of an embryo and seedling (see primary leaf).
 lobe compressed at right angles to the seed.

Noxious weed seed categories

State Noxious Weed: Arizona 

AOSA examination list

Included

Nomenclature

Family

Brassicaceae

Valid name

Lepidium sativum L.

Lepidium sativum. Seeds with a curved radicle margin.
Lepidium sativum. Seeds with a curved radicle margin.
From Left to Right: 1. Lepidium densiflorum 2. Lepidium sativum 3. Lepidium virginicum . Seeds with a groove at the base, between the lobes.
From Left to Right: 1. Lepidium densiflorum 2. Lepidium sativum 3. Lepidium virginicum. Seeds with a groove at the base, between the lobes.