The Urban Pantheist

Photos by urbpan. Location: Castle Island, South Boston.

Urban species #240: Pepperweed Lepidium virginicum

There are at least three annual weeds still in bloom in the chilly streets of Boston: that darn tomato has produced a new blossom, there are black nightshades here and there, and just about everywhere there are pepperweeds. They started popping up in the spring and blooming in the summer, and continued to produce flowers at least up until last Sunday.

Pepperweeds are in the mustard family, a hardy group of plants well-represented among urban species. There are several species, including Eurasian and North American natives. The most common North American species is sometimes called Virginia pepperweed (more a translation of its scientific name than a geographic indicator), and is found in every state including Hawaii and the territory of Puerto Rico. The plant is also called poor man's pepper, pepper grass, pepperwort, and pepper cress; the flat round seed pods have a peppery taste, similar to nasturtium, and can be used as a seasoning. Pepperweed spreads by seed, and grows very quickly, producing many generations until frost--these plants may be the grandchildren of the plants that sprouted in spring and summer. Like many pioneer plants and weeds they prefer bright sun, and grow in open areas and recently cleared ground. They are definitely one of the most common weeds still growing in Boston this December.


Location: gas station parking lot, Route 9, Brookline.