Perennial Pepperweed
Lepidium latifolium
Also known as Tall whitetop
Plants widely distributed in Utah. The current populations of these plants should be contained to halt their spread. These plants should not enter commercial channels.
Background
Native to southern Europe and western Asia, perennial pepperweed is commonly found in wet drainage areas of waste areas, ditches, roadsides, and crop lands.
Description
Perennial pepperweed grows from 1 to 6 feet tall. It is a creeping perennial and has spreading lateral rootstocks. Leaves have smooth to lightly toothed margins. Stems and leaves are waxy. Four-petaled white flowers form dense clusters at the end of branches. Flowering takes place from summer into early fall. Seeds form in round, flattened two- chambered pods.
Control
Biocontrol research is in early stages. Select herbicides can offer fair to good control when applied to actively growing plants up to pre bloom.
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