Lepidium sativum L.

Annual. Stem erect, glabrous, (10)–20–40–(90) cm tall. Basal lvs withering at flowering, glabrous or sparsely hairy, 3–10–(20) × 1–4–(8) cm, 1–2-pinnatifid with slender toothed lobes. Middle stem lvs deeply 1–2-pinnatisect with linear-obovate lobes; uppermost lvs sparsely hairy, 1-pinnatifid, becoming linear-obovate, entire, 2–4 × 0.3–0.5 cm. Racemes 10–25 cm long; pedicels 4–6 mm at fruiting. Sepals sparsely hairy, 1–1.5 × 0.4–0.6 mm. Petals twice as long as sepals, white or reddish. Stamens 6. Silicle elliptic, narrowly winged above, 5–6 × 3–5 mm; style not projecting beyond deep apical notch; valves glabrous. Seeds narrowly ovoid, red-brown, not winged, up to 5 mm long; cotyledons deeply 3-lobed.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Nov.–Dec.; Fruiting: Nov.–Feb.