| hoary cress | USDA PLANTS Symbol: LEDR U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Forbs/Herbs |
| Lepidium draba (L.) Desv |
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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Capparales: Brassicaceae |
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| Synonym(s): whitetop, globed-podded hoarycress, peppergrass, whiteweed | |
Hoary cress, or whitetop, is a perennial forb in the mustard family that can grow up to 2 ft. (0.6 m) tall. The leaves are soft, gray-green, 1.5-3 in. (3.7-7.6 cm) long with fine hairs and heart-shaped bases. The lower leaves tend to have more hairs than the upper leaves. The upper leaves clasp to the stem of the plant. Flowering occurs in early spring to early summer, when white, four-petaled flowers develop in clusters at the apex of the stem. The fruit are heart-shaped seed pods. Hoary cress invades rangelands, pastures, streambanks, and open forests primarily in the western United States, although it does occur in the East. It can form large infestations that can displace native species and reduce grazing quality. Hoary cress is native to Central Europe and Western Asia and was first introduced into the United States in the early 20th century. |
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Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
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| Selected Images from Invasive.org | View All Images at Invasive.org |
 Flower(s); Chris Evans, Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; Pedro Tenorio-Lezama, , Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; Pedro Tenorio-Lezama, , Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; Montana Statewide Noxious Weed Awareness and Education Program Archive, Montana State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); in flower Chris Evans, Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; Chris Evans, Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Feature(s); Roots Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Seed(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Seed(s); Seeds. Hilum at bottom. FNW taxon. Julia Scher, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
| EDDMapS Distribution: This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org Alternative content
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 State(s) Where Reported invasive. Based on state level agency and organization lists of invasive plants from WeedUS database. Alternative content
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