Lepidium didymum L.

Lesser Swinecress; Wartcress

Herb

Annual

Vascular

Lesser Swinecress is an introduced winter annual or short-lived biennial in the Mustard family (Brassicaceae). It is native to South America. In Alabama it can be found state wide. Lesser Swinecress occurs in lawns, in gardens, in fallow fields, on roadsides, and in other disturbed areas. It is a winter annual with a tap root. Stems are ascending or decumbent, radiating from a central point. Leaves are basal and cauline. The basal leaves are petiolate, 1 or 2 pinnatisect, and glabrous or pilose. The margins of the lobes are entire or toothed. Basal leaves may be withered by flowering time. Stem leaves are short petiolate or sessile, and similar but smaller than the basal leaves. All parts of the plant have a fetid odor when crushed. Flowers are produced in racemes and are inconspicuous. The sepals are ovate and tardily deciduous. Flowers have 4 small elliptic to linear white petals and 2 stamens. The fruit is a deeply notched indehiscent silicle. Each section of the fruit is orbicular in outline and one seeded. The walls of the fruit are thick and strongly veined.—A. Diamond

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Not Native

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