About Lepidium virginicum L.
Lepidium virginicum, also called Virginia pepperweed, is an herbaceous plant that can be either annual or biennial. It typically grows between 10 and 50 centimeters (3.9 to 19.7 inches) in total height. Stem leaves of Virginia pepperweed are sessile (stalkless), shaped linear to lanceolate, and they grow larger as they get closer to the base of the plant. Like Lepidium campestre, the most identifiable feature of Virginia pepperweed is its raceme, which grows from the plant's highly branched stem. The racemes give the plant a bottlebrush-like appearance. First, small white flowers develop on the racemes, and greenish fruits grow later. All parts of this plant have a peppery taste. Lepidium virginicum is edible. Its young leaves can be eaten raw (for example in salads), cooked as a potherb, or sautéed. Its young seedpods can be used as a substitute for black pepper. The leaves contain protein, vitamin A, and vitamin C.
