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Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii)
Shrubs Around Las Vegas, Vegetation Around Las Vegas
Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii)

General: Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii) is a low-growing shrub found on dry desert flats and limestone cliffs. The hairless leaves are long and narrow, sometimes lobed. The individual flowers are small (1/4-inch diameter) and white with yellowish centers and four petals, but they form dense clusters. The fruit is a heart-shaped seedpod (silique) that can persist atop the dry stems for a long time.

Desert Peppergrass is a fairly common component of desert vegetation communities in the Upper Sonoran (Mojave Desert Scrub) life zone.

Family: Mustard (Brassicaceae).

Other Names: Pepperwort.

Plant Form: Loose, upright shrub.

Height: Usually to about knee-high.

Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii)

Stems: Many-branched.

Leaves: Leaves to about 2 inches long, narrow, pinnately lobed (usually 3 lobes). Hairless. Leaves grow all along the stem, but not at the base.

Flowers: Blooms during spring. Inflorescence: many branched forming spherical or elongated clusters. Flower white, 4 petals, yellowish center.

Fruit: Flat, oval (heart shaped), about 1/4 inch across.

Habitat: Desert flats to limestone cliffs, and sagebrush areas.

Elevation: To about 4,000 feet.

Distribution: California, Nevada, Arizona.

Comments:

Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii) Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii)
Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii) Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii)
Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii) Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii)
Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii) Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii)
Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii)
Basal leaves on stem
Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii)
Basal leaves on stem
Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii)
Basal leaf (dorsal surface)
Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii)
Basal leaf (ventral surface)
Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii) Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii)
Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii)
Upper leaves long and thin, lobed at or near the base
Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii)
Upper leaves long and thin, lobed at or near the base
Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii)
Upper leaves long and thin, lobed at or near the base
Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii)
Upper leaves long and thin, lobed at or near the base
Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii) Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii)
Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii) Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii)
Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii) Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii)
Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii) Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii)
Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii) Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii)
Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii) Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii)
Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii)
Developing fruits: flat, oval (heart shaped), about 1/4 inch across
Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii)
Developing fruits: flat, oval (heart shaped), about 1/4 inch across
Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii)
Drying plant during late spring
Desert Peppergrass (Lepidium fremontii)
Ripening fruits

Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate. Names generally follow the USDA database.
copyright; Last updated 240628

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