Lepidium virginicum subsp. menziesii
Robinson's pepper-grass
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · licence
Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Lepidium virginicum subsp. menziesii (Robinson's pepper-grass) is a native California annual in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by subsp. virginicum by flattened pedicel and potential hairiness.
Robinson's pepper-grass is a California native annual found in dry, disturbed areas, bottomland, riverbanks, meadows, fields, pastures, scrub, and cliffs throughout California at elevations below 2,800 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces small white flowers in delicate clusters. Growing with slender branching stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms compact and somewhat sprawling growth habits. Its leaves are variable, with lower leaves often pinnately divided and upper leaves becoming smaller and less complex. The fruit is notably slender, with flattened pedicels and a glabrous or slightly hairy surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 25 sympatric species; distinguished from subsp. virginicum by flattened pedicel and potential hairiness
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, disturbed areas, bottomland, riverbanks, meadows, fields, pastures, cliffs, scrub
Elevation: < 2800 m
Outside California: to British Columbia, Montana, Colorado, Texas, Mexico
Bloom period
Lepidium virginicum subsp. menziesii blooms Mar-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Capsella: Small round-to-oval pods versus distinctive triangular heart-shaped pods.; vs Cotula: Mustard with seed pods and 4 petals versus composite with disk flowers only.; vs Soliva: Mustard with flattened seed pods versus composite with spiny achenes.; vs Thysanocarpus: Fruits stand upright or spread versus hanging downward in Thysanocarpus.; vs Lobularia: Flattened oval pods with 1-2 seeds versus inflated round pods with 2 seeds.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lepidium virginicum subsp. menziesii native to California?
Yes. Lepidium virginicum subsp. menziesii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lepidium virginicum subsp. menziesii bloom?
Lepidium virginicum subsp. menziesii blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Lepidium virginicum subsp. menziesii belong to?
Lepidium virginicum subsp. menziesii is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Lepidium.
Is Lepidium virginicum subsp. menziesii rare or endangered?
Lepidium virginicum subsp. menziesii carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Lepidium virginicum subsp. menziesii grow in?
Lepidium virginicum subsp. menziesii grows in Dry, disturbed areas, bottomland, riverbanks, meadows, fields, pastures, cliffs, scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Lepidium virginicum subsp. virginicum
- Lepidium acutidens — Net pepper grass
- Lepidium appelianum — White-top
- Lepidium campestre — Cow cress
- Lepidium chalepense — Lens-podded hoary cress
- Lepidium coronopus — Swine cress
- Lobularia maritima — Sweet alyssum
- Lobularia sp. — Sweet alyssum
- Lunaria annua — Annual honesty
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.