Lepidium latifolium

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-015603",
  "term": "Lepidium latifolium",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "Perennial pepperweed (synonym: Cardaria latifolia (L.) Spach), is also known as tall whitetop, giant whiteweed, perennial peppergrass, slender perennial peppercress, broadleaf or broadleaved pepperweed, ironweed and other names. Plants are multiple stemmed and grow in stiffly erect masses up to 5 ft. (1.5 m.) tall, sometimes taller. Leaves are lanceolate, bright green to gray green, and entire or toothed. Basal leaves are stalked, up to 1 ft. (30 cm) long and 3 in. (8 cm.) wide and have serrate margins. Stem leaves are smaller, ranging from 3-10 in (7-25 cm) in length, tapered at the base, entire to weakly serrate and are sessile to stalked. Flowering occurs from early summer to fall. Abundant small white 4-petaled flowers are borne in dense clusters near the stem tips. The fruits are small, flattened pods about 1/10th inch long, each containing 2 seeds (1 per chamber). Fruits remain on the plant, dropping irregularly throughout the winter. The base of the stem is semi-woody. The roots enlarge at the soil line, forming a woody crown. Root length is dependent on soil tilth, but can be up to 6 feet. Roots are creeping, with new plants springing from root sections as small as 2 inches. Seedlings, when present, have leaves that are ovate to oblong, ¼-½ inch long, with smooth to slightly wavy edges and a petiole approximately 1/5th inch long. Subsequent leaves resemble first leaves, but are larger in size.",
  "subject": "Biological substances",
  "references": [
    "National Park Service Plant Conservation Alliance at http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/lela1.htm"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/lepidium-latifolium/"
}