Status: Native
Synonyms:
Lepidium glaucum Greene
Lepidium intermedium Gray
Lepidium medium Greene var. medium
Lepidium virginicum var. menziesii is a common spring-blooming herb found
in canyons and creekbeds. It has a basal rosette of leaves which may become
less apparent as the season progresses. The flowers are white but inconspicious.
There are only 2 stamens. The fruit is nearly round (orbicular) and the style
remains as a little nubbin (obsolete). The rachis (axis of the inflorescence) has
small, cylindrical and slightly curved hairs. In var. menziesii, the fruiting pedicel
is slightly but not strongly flattened.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Lepidium virginicum, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Blackhawk Canyon, Apr. 18, 2008
Lepidium virginicum, detail of inflorescence, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Blackhawk Canyon, Apr. 18, 2008
Lepidium virginicum, flowers and fruit, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., WD Ranch Road, March 28, 2009
Lepidium virginicum, photomicrograph of flower with 2 stamens and 4 merous perianth, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., WD Ranch Road, March 28, 2009
Lepidium virginicum, photomicrograph of flattened fruiting pedicel, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., WD Ranch Road, March 28, 2009
Lepidium virginicum, photomicrograph of upper cauline (stem) leaf, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., WD Ranch Road, March 28, 2009
Lepidium virginicum, photomicrograph of silicle (fruit), photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., WD Ranch Road, March 28, 2009
Lepidium virginicum, photomicrograph of small curved cylindrical rachis hairs, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., WD Ranch Road, March 28, 2009
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