Lepidium campestre 

'Field Pepperwort'

Brassicaceae: grey-green, perennial to 40cm, found on dry, bare soils. The flowers are white and made up of four petals with violet anthers, in dense heads, appearing from May-August. The seed pods are smooth, oval, notched at the top, pods lack a projecting style, unlike the similar looking Lepidium hererophyllum which has a projecting style. Locally common in the South and West. Native to Most of Europe, including Britain, to Western Asia and the Caucasus.

USES:

The young leaves and young shoots can be eaten raw or cooked, and are best used in the spring. They have a hot cress-like flavour, they can be finely-chopped and added in small amounts as a flavouring in salads. The immature seedpods have a pungent flavour, they can be used as a flavouring in hot soups and stews. The seed can be used as a pepper substitute.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Surface sow seeds in spring or autumn in situ. Germination should take place within few weeks, but a portion of the seed by be dormant and need a chill before they will germinate. 

HARVESTED: 2023*

APPROX. 50 SEEDS