Overview
Lepidium nitidum is a small, much-branched annual 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) tall, with slender, spreading to ascending stems forming a low, bushy plant. The lower leaves are pinnately divided into narrow segments, while the upper leaves are smaller and narrower. From late winter into spring it produces many tiny four-petalled white flowers, each less than 0.1 inch (2 mm) across, in short crowded clusters at the branch tips. The flowers quickly give way to flat, rounded seed pods about 0.1-0.2 inch (3-4 mm) wide, notched at the top and often tinged purple, each holding two seeds. The crushed foliage and seeds have a peppery, mustard-like taste typical of the family. The plant grows on open ground, grasslands, vernal pool margins, roadsides, and disturbed sites across western North America, germinating with autumn and winter rains. It completes its life cycle by late spring and dies as soils dry. It needs open sun and tolerates poor, seasonally wet, and alkaline soils. It does not persist beyond one season.
Native Range
Lepidium nitidum is native to western North America, from British Columbia south through California to Baja California and east to the Great Basin. It grows in open grasslands, vernal pool edges, clay flats, roadsides, and other open or disturbed ground at low to moderate elevations.Suggested Uses
Used in native grassland and vernal pool restorations and in naturalized seed mixes in its range. Its seed feeds birds and the foliage is grazed by small wildlife. Suited to open, seasonally moist or disturbed ground rather than tended borders.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 1'
Width/Spread4" - 10"
Bloom Information
Many tiny white four-petalled flowers open in crowded clusters at the branch tips from late winter into spring, mainly February to April. They are pollinated by small insects or self-pollinate. Flat, notched seed pods form quickly and ripen as the plant matures.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Drought Tolerance
Drought tolerant when established
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Lepidium nitidum grows in full sun on open soils, including clay, alkaline, and seasonally wet ground, and germinates with autumn and winter rains. As a winter annual it flowers in spring and dies by early summer as soils dry. It is grown from seed sown on the surface in autumn in mild-winter climates. It needs no fertilizer and little care beyond seasonal moisture. It self-sows freely and reappears from seed each year where conditions suit. It does not tolerate shade or persist as a perennial.Pruning
No pruning is needed for this short-lived annual. Plants can be pulled once they dry and set seed. Leaving the seed pods in place allows self-seeding for the next season.✓ Toxicity
Non-toxicPlanting Guide
Planting Methods & Timing
Planting Method
direct sow
Direct Sow Timing
Sow seed on the soil surface in autumn in mild-winter climates.
Days to Maturity
70–120 days
Plant Spacing
4 inches
Companion Planting
Good Companions