Lepidium perfoliatum aka Perfoliate Pepperwort

Lepidium perfoliatum has two common names: clasping pepperweed and perfoliate pepperwort. It belongs to Brassicaceae, the cabbage family. Its native range spans east-central and southeastern Europe into Asia. It reaches southwestern Siberia and the western Himalaya. Kew places it in regions with a temperate climate. The RHS lists it as non-native to Britain and Ireland. Records also place it in parts of China, Pakistan, and western Asia.

This small plant lives as an annual or biennial. That means its life spans one or two years. It reaches about 1 foot (0.3 metres) in height. It does not live for years as a perennial does. The sources give no width for a full-grown plant. They give no detailed account of its leaves, stems, or fruit. Flowers appear from May to June. Each flower has both male and female organs. The evidence does not say what chiefly moves its pollen.

In western China, it grows where people have disturbed the ground. It also grows there on dry slopes with sandy soil. Records range from near sea level to about 3,280 feet (1,000 metres). Yet PFAF says it prefers moist soil, despite these dry sites. It accepts sand, loam, and heavy clay soils. Soil may be mildly acid, neutral, or mildly alkaline. Grow it in full sun or light shade. The sources give no frost limit or hardiness zone.

PFAF lists garden beds as one place to grow it. It reports that people in China sometimes grow it for food. You can eat the young leaves raw or cooked. They have a sharp taste, much like cress. PFAF scores its food value at one out of five. The evidence names no other part to eat. It lists no known hazards but does not assess pet safety on its own. The record of use as medicine concerns scurvy, not wider health claims.

Sow seed in spring where the plants will grow. PFAF says the seeds should sprout within three weeks. It also warns that this plant may become a weed. This does not mean it is invasive in every place. No supplied source names pests or diseases that affect it. They give no special use for show beyond growing in beds. PFAF lists no further uses and scores those uses at zero.