Virginia Pepperweed

Biological Name:

Lepidium virginicum (Virginia-Pepperweed)

Natural Habitat:

The Virginia-Pepperweed is a perennial herb that can be found growing in moist and sunny areas, such as meadows and fields. It is native to the eastern United States, including the Virginia region.

Description:

Virginia-Pepperweed is a herbaceous annual plant that is native to North America. It has small white flowers and narrow pointed leaves. It produces tiny black or brown seeds that are pungent and spicy hence its common name.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is Virginia Pepperweed edible?
A: About Virginia Pepperweed: The seeds and young leaves of the Virginia Pepperweed are edible. Typically, people put the seeds in soup to add a peppery taste and its young leaves are used in salads or cooked as greens.
Source

Q: What is Virginia pepperweed used for?
A: This prolific weed is one of the most common pepperweeds. Its seeds have a peppery taste and can be used to season soups and stews; the young leaves are used in salads or cooked as greens.
Source

Q: Are Virginia creeper’s poisonous?
A: Although Virginia creeper leaves does not contain urushiol, the irritating oil found on all parts of poison ivy, the sap can irritate highly sensitive people. The berries are poisonous, as they contain a high concentration of oxalic acid, which is moderately toxic to humans and dogs.
Source

Q: How do you control pepper grass?
A: To control perennial pepperweed infestations apply glyphosate to the entire infestation before landscaping newly developed areas. It takes a few weeks for the herbicide to translocate (move) to the roots. After the initial herbicide treatment, carry out any necessary soil preparation activities.
Source

Q: Is Virginia Threeseed mercury poisonous?
A: Virginia mercury lacks the toxic white latex that is a typical character-istic of other species in the Spurge Family (Euphorbiaceae). Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested. Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction.
Source

Q: Is Virginia Pepperweed invasive?
A: Virginia pepperweed (Lepidium virginicum) is a North American native landscape weed. This species has a worldwide distribution and is considered a serious weed with invasive status throughout its range.
Source

Q: What are the 5 most invasive species?
A: Asian Carp.Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha)Cane Toad (Rhinella marina)European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. … Asian long-horned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis)Small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus)
Source

Q: What are two common plants that cause problems in VA forests?
A: Some examples of common invasive species found in Virginia are tree-of-heaven, mimosa, chinaberry, Japanese honeysuckle, oriental bittersweet, autumn olive, kudzu, Japanese stiltgrass, and multiflora rose.
Source

Q: What state has the most invasive species?
A: Florida consistently ranks as one of the top five places in the world with the most invasive species. And the state is the world epicenter of invasive reptiles. In fact, non-native reptile species now outnumber native reptiles by 3 to 1 in Florida.
Source

Q: How do you get rid of Virginia Pepperweed?
A: Herbicide application in the fall can be quite successful in reducing populations of Virginia Pepperweed in the spring. Applications of 2-4-D, Glyphosate, Glufosinate, Dicamba, Metribuzin, and Saflufenacil (sharpen) have good control.
Source

Q: What kills Virginia buttonweed but not grass?
A: According to research trials , herbicides that contain the active ingredients 2,4-D, dicamba, mecoprop and carfentrazone (Speed Zone Southern, Weed Free Zone, Weed B Gon) have been effective in suppressing emerging perennial plants and killing the first flush of buttonweed seedlings when applied in spring.
Source

Q: Can you pull up Virginia buttonweed?
A: If you do have Virginia buttonweed in your yard, hand-pulling is the most effective method of removal. Be sure to pull up the entire plant, roots and all, so that it doesn’t regrow. You can also use a hoe or trowel to dig up the plant. If hand-pulling and digging aren’t possible or practical, you can use a herbicide.
Source

Q: How do I permanently get rid of Virginia creeper?
A: When established, Virginia creeper will most often not be controlled with a single herbicide application, and multiple applications will be necessary to achieve acceptable control. Only nonselective postemergence herbicide (glyphosate) must be used to suppress or control this weed.
Source

Q: Is pepper grass invasive?
A: The weeds are invasive and quickly form dense stands that push out desirable native plants. Getting rid of peppergrass is very difficult since each plant produces thousands of seeds and also propagates from root segments.
Source

Q: How do you know if pepperweed is Virginia?
A: Lower leaves are oval with toothed margins on long petioles. Mature leaves are irregularly lobed, smooth and tapering to the petiole, and hairless. Upper leaves are alternate, toothed or entire, lanceolate and pointed. Virginia pepperweed rosette.
Source

Q: What is Virginia pepperweed good for?
A: The leaves of wild pepper-grass are nutritious and generally detoxifying, they have been used to treat vitamin C deficiency and diabetes, and to expel intestinal worms[254]. The herb is also diuretic and of benefit in easing rheumatic pain[254].
Source

Q: Is Virginia pepperweed poisonous to horses?
A: Pepperweed is also an agricultural weed of hay meadows and is toxic to horses.
Source

Q: What herbicide kills Virginia pepperweed?
A: To control perennial pepperweed infestations apply glyphosate to the entire infestation before landscaping newly developed areas. It takes a few weeks for the herbicide to translocate (move) to the roots.
Source

Q: How do I get rid of Virginia Buttonweed in my yard?
A: According to research trials , herbicides that contain the active ingredients 2,4-D, dicamba, mecoprop and carfentrazone (Speed Zone Southern, Weed Free Zone, Weed B Gon) have been effective in suppressing emerging perennial plants and killing the first flush of buttonweed seedlings when applied in spring.
Source

Q: Is Virginia pepperweed native to Florida?
A: Virginia Pepperweed (Lepidium virginicum) is a host plant for the Great Southern White butterfly (GSW). A Florida native plant that is very important for wildlife – and we can eat it.
Source

Q: Is Japanese knotweed in Virginia?
A: It has since spread in the wild and is now found from Nova Scotia to North Carolina. Japanese knotweed is widely scat- tered in Virginia. Japanese knotweed emerges in early spring and grows rapidly to heights of six to nine feet. It forms dense, nearly pure stands which crowd out native plants.
Source

About the author

Samuel is a gardening professional and enthusiast who has spent over 20 years advising homeowners and farm owners on weed identification, prevention and removal. He has an undergraduate degree in plant and soil science from Michigan State University.