Common Name: Hoary Cress

General Information

Lepidium draba is a perennial plant growing from an extensive rootstock. It produces erect, branched or unbranched stems from adventitious buds on the rootstock, forming clumps of growth 10 - 50cm tall, occasionally to 100cm[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine
Lepidium draba is found in a wide range of habitats; at high and low latitudes; above and below sea level. It is found under irrigation and in soils of high moisture content and also exists in arid regions. It invades all soil types, although it prefers alkaline conditions and can germinate in saline soils. All of these characteristics and adaptations provide exceptional advantages for this noxious weed and reflect its high potential to invade different agricultural systems. The weed can invade both agricultural and natural ecosystems. In summary, the plant is a serious threat to agriculture and the environment. It is of a high ecological tolerance and is potentially harmful to human and animal health. Its ability to invade and reproduce by different means and to host plant pathogenic agents make this weed invasive with significant problems to humans and natural resources[].

Known Hazards

A report says that the young leaves contain the toxin hydrogen cyanide, though does not give any more details[]. In small quantities this substance is fairly harmless, and has even been recommended as having health benefits, but caution is suggested if you eat these leaves[].

Botanical References

Range

Throughout most of the Mediterranean, extending north to southern European Russia and east to Kazakhstan, Pakistan and Arabia

Habitat

A weed of arable fields, it is spreading rapidly in Britain[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Lepidium draba is a moderately cold-hardy plant, being able to tolerate temperatures falling to around -20°c.
Lepidium draba is a very versatile plant, though it needs a sunny position if it is to thrive. It succeds in most soils, though it favours neutral to alkaline conditions. It cn tolerate soils of high moisture content and can also grow in semi-arid conditions. It succeeds in saline soils[].

Edible Uses

Young leaves and shoots - raw in salads or cooked as a potherb[, , , ]. The leaves and stems have a higher crude protein level than spinach or cabbage, with levels from 7.7 - 28.8% being reported[].
A report says that the young leaves contain the toxin hydrogen cyanide, though does not give any more details[]. In small quantities this substance is fairly harmless, and has even been recommended as having health benefits, but caution is suggested if you eat these leaves[].
The pungent leaves are used as a seasoning[].

The seed is used as a condiment, it is a pepper substitute[, , , , , ].

Medicinal

The plant is antiscorbutic[].

The seeds have been used as a cure for flatulence and fish poison[]. It is assumed that this report is referring to food poisoning caused by eating suspect fish[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ in spring. There is very little need to encourage this plant, it is a rapidly spreading weed in many areas.
Division in spring.