Biology:Lepidium

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Short description: Genus of flowering plants in the cabbage family Brassicaceae

Lepidium
Lepidium flavum 3.jpg
Lepidium flavum
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Brassicales
Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Lepidium
L.
Species

about 175-220, see text

Lepidium is a genus of plants in the mustard/cabbage family, Brassicaceae. The genus is widely distributed in the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Australia.[1] It includes familiar species such as garden cress, maca, and dittander. General common names include peppercress, peppergrass, pepperweed, and pepperwort. Some species form tumbleweeds.[2] The genus name Lepidium is a Greek word meaning 'small scale', which is thought to be derived from a folk medicine usage of the plant to treat leprosy, which cause small scales on the skin. Another meaning is related to the small scale-like fruit.[3]

Diversity

Lepidium latifolium on the Kattegat
Lepidium lasiocarpum var. lasiocarpum
Lepidium fremontii

There are about 175[4] to 220[1] species in the genus.[3] 10 species are found in California .[3]

Species include:


See also

References

External links

Wikidata ☰ Q146217 entry