Class
Order
Family
Genus
Classification
Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Lepidium desvauxii Thell., Lepidium 307 (1906)
Vernacular Name(s):
Bushy peppercress; narrow-leaved cress
Description
Perennial. Main stems erect, 20–45 cm tall; branches lf-opposed, spreading, ridged, ± densely covered with fine, short, backward-pointed hairs. Basal lvs withering at fruiting; early lvs glabrous; later lvs sparsely bristly above and beneath; margins with triangular or 2-lobed cartilaginous denticles; lamina narrow-oblancolate, pinnate, 6–12–(20) × 1.5–2.5–(4) cm; pinnae in (3)–5–8 pairs, toothed, especially on distal margin. Stem lvs becoming simple, bristly; margins with small triangular or 2-lobed cartilaginous denticles; middle lvs narrow-oblanceolate, toothed, cuneate at base, 1.5–3 × 0.5–1.5 cm; upper lvs narrow-oblong, toothed or 3-fid at apex, 5–15 × 2–4 mm, abruptly narrowed or sub-auriculate at very shortly stalked base. Racemes (3)–5–10 cm long; rachis and pedicel hairs as on stems; pedicels erecto-patent to patent, 3–4 mm long at fruiting. Sepals glabrous or sparsely hairy, often purplish with scarious margin, 0.7–1 × c. 0.5 mm. Petals white, much < sepals. Stamens 2. Silicles ovate, 2.7–3 × 2–2.3 mm; stigma almost sessile in shallow notch; valves usually purple, glabrous or sparsely hairy. Seed narrow-ovoid, brown, not winged, c. 1.5 mm long.
[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]
Biostatus
Exotic
Phenology
Flowering: (Jul.)–Oct.–Mar.–(Jun.); Fruiting: (Jul.)–Oct.–Mar.–(Jun.)
Bibliography
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Hitchmough, R.; Townsend, A.J. 2009: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand (2008 revision). New Zealand Journal of Botany 47: 61–96. [Not threatened]
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Heenan, P.B.; Courtney, S.P.; Molloy, B.P.J.; Ogle, C.C.; Rance, B.D. 2004: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 42(1): 45–76.
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Not Threatened]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [Not Threatened]
Thellung, A. 1906: Die Gattung Lepidium (L.) R. Br. Eine Monographische Studie. Basel.
