Lepidium graminifolium aka Tall Pepperwort

Lepidium graminifolium is also known as grassleaf pepperweed. It belongs to Brassicaceae, the cabbage family. This perennial lives for more than two years. It grows in temperate regions. Kew gives its native range as south-central Europe to the Mediterranean. PFAF lists southern Europe and parts of central Europe. The range also takes in Turkey, Lebanon and Syria. It reaches Morocco and northern Algeria too. The RHS lists it as non-native to Britain and Ireland.

PFAF gives its height as about 0.33 feet [0.1 metres]. The evidence gives no mature spread or clear growth form. It does not describe the stems or leaf shape. PFAF says the plant flowers from June to July. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers. Seeds ripen from July to August. The evidence gives no flower colour or fruit shape.

PFAF lists sand, loam and clay as suitable soils. Its soil pH range runs from mildly acid to mildly alkaline. The plant grows in full sun or partial shade. The same source says it accepts dry or moist soil. These notes give broad guidance, but growing records remain scarce. PFAF has little direct growing information for this species. Its separate advice on growing it draws on the genus. How well it withstands British cold is still unclear. The evidence gives no firm hardiness zone.

You can eat the young leaves raw or cooked. PFAF says they taste hot, much like cress. It gives their edible use a score of two out of five. It lists no known uses as medicine or other practical uses. PFAF reports no known hazards. This does not mean the plant is safe for pets. The evidence names no pests or diseases. It gives no details of where the plant grows wild.

PFAF lists cultivated beds as a place to grow it. Its clearest supported garden use is to provide edible leaves. To raise new plants, sow seed in spring. Use a cold frame for this. Move seedlings to their own pots when large enough to handle. The source says to plant them outside in summer. You can also raise new plants by division in spring. PFAF does not flag this species as a possible weed.