Common name:
Yellow pepperweed
Family:
Scientific name:
Lepidium flavum
Main flower color:
Range:
Nevada, south California and far southwest Utah
Height:
A few inches - grows along the ground
Habitat:
Roadsides, sagebrush, washes, playas, floodplains, often sandy locations, from 2,000 to 5,000 feet
Leaves:
Oblanceolate, obovate or linear, entire, toothed or lobed, up to 2 inches long
Season:
March to June
Lepidium flavum is one of the few yellow-flowered members of this genus; most are white. The branched stems may be up to 20 inches long, but usually grow along the ground, forming low mats. All plant parts are hairless. The fleshy leaves grow in a basal rosette and along the stem; those at the base are pinnately lobed (three to nine pairs, with entire margins), while stem leaves are simple, and shorter, with either entire or shallowly-toothed margins. Leaves are attached by short stalks.
Flowers are very small; the ovate, light green sepals are around 1/20 of an inch in length, and the spatulate, clawed petals are about twice as long. The flower center contains six stamens, shorter than the petals.
Flowers are very small; the ovate, light green sepals are around 1/20 of an inch in length, and the spatulate, clawed petals are about twice as long. The flower center contains six stamens, shorter than the petals.
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