Lepidium virginicum subsp. virginicum
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Family: Brassicaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Lepidium virginicum subsp. virginicum is a native California annual in the Brassicaceae family, recognized by subsp. menziesii by cylindric pedicel and glabrous fruit.
Virginia pepper-grass is a California native annual found in the Sierra Nevada, Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, Great Basin, and Desert regions in disturbed sites, grassy areas, and fields at elevations of 200 to 2,900 meters. Flowering from March to September, this plant produces white flowers in small, delicate clusters. Growing with slender stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall, it forms compact or spreading clusters. Its small leaves are varied, with lower leaves often lobed or deeply toothed while upper leaves become more narrow and entire. The fruit is small, cylindrical, and glabrous, characteristic of its genus.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 21 sympatric species; distinguished from subsp. menziesii by cylindric pedicel and glabrous fruit
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed sites, grassy areas, fields
Elevation: 200-2900 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Tuolumne, San Diego, El Dorado, Alpine, Fresno, Mariposa
Outside California: North America, introduced elsewhere
Bloom period
Lepidium virginicum subsp. virginicum blooms Mar-Sep.
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. virginicum native to California?
Yes. Lepidium virginicum subsp. virginicum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lepidium virginicum subsp. virginicum bloom?
Lepidium virginicum subsp. virginicum blooms Mar-Sep.
Where in California does Lepidium virginicum subsp. virginicum grow?
Lepidium virginicum subsp. virginicum occurs in Los Angeles, Tuolumne, San Diego, El Dorado, Alpine, Fresno, Mariposa, at elevations of 200-2900 m.
What plant family does Lepidium virginicum subsp. virginicum belong to?
Lepidium virginicum subsp. virginicum is in the Brassicaceae family, genus Lepidium.
What habitat does Lepidium virginicum subsp. virginicum grow in?
Lepidium virginicum subsp. virginicum grows in Disturbed sites, grassy areas, fields.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Lepidium acutidens — Net pepper grass
- Lepidium appelianum — White-top
- Lepidium campestre — Cow cress
- Lepidium chalepense — Lens-podded hoary cress
- Lepidium coronopus — Swine cress
- Lepidium densiflorum — Common pepper grass
- Lobularia maritima — Sweet alyssum
- Lobularia sp. — Sweet alyssum
- Lunaria annua — Annual honesty
- Lunaria sp. — Money plant
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.