Lepidium phlebopetalum, commonly known as veined peppercress, is a plant of the Brassicaceae family that is endemic to parts of Australia.
| Veined peppercress | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Brassicales |
| Family: | Brassicaceae |
| Genus: | Lepidium |
| Species: | L. phlebopetalum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Lepidium phlebopetalum F. Muell, 1960 (L.) phlebopetalum – plant
| |
Description
editThe annual or perennial herbaceous plants are 10–30 cm (3.9–11.8 in) tall or have a sprawling habitat. The leaves are leathery to succulent, lanceolate to linear, obtuse, up to 5 cm (2.0 in) long, 1–3 mm (0.039–0.118 in) wide, and alternating up the stems. Sometimes leaves are absent in dry conditions.[1]
The flowers (inflorescences) contain four petals that are white with purple veins and four sepals that are slightly shorter, in racemes, which lengthen as the fruiting bodies mature.[2]
The fruit the plant produces is dehiscent; it is non-fleshy. The plant has scale-like seed pods.[3]
Etymology
editIn the binomial name Lepidium phlebopetalum, the genus name, Lepidium, comes from the Latin word lepidium, derived from Greek lepidion, meaning 'a little scale', referring to the scale-shaped seed pods.[4][5] The species name, phlebopetalum, derives from the Greek words phléps, meaning "vein" (phlebo-), and pétalon, meaning "leaf", referring to its petals.[6]
Habitat and range
editLepidium phlebopetalum are often located in arid and semi-arid regions, in relatively bare sites with crusting red clay loam soils. They are found mainly in Western Australia, Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales. Listed as Endangered in Victoria, there have only been some recorded sightings in the far northwest region. It becomes abundant after rain and the flowers are present most of the year depending on the region, with an influx of blooming in spring.[7]
History
editLepidium phlebopetalum was first described by German-Australian botanist Ferdinand von Mueller in 1860.[8]
There are 150 species of Lepidium globally. In Australia, there are 43 species, 35 of which are endemic and 8 species of which have become naturalized. Lepidium species are found in all Australian states.[9]
References
edit- ^ "Factsheet – Lepidium phlebopetalum". keys.lucidcentral.org. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
- ^ "PlantNET – FloraOnline". plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
- ^ "VicFlora: Lepidium phlebopetalum". vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
- ^ Western Australian Herbarium, Biodiversity and Conservation Science. "Florabase—the Western Australian Flora". florabase.dbca.wa.gov.au. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
- ^ "Lepidium sativum, Persian Cress or Ornamental Cress Seeds". www.seedaholic.com. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
- ^ "Dictionary.com | Meanings & Definitions of English Words". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
- ^ Western Australian Herbarium, Biodiversity and Conservation Science. "Florabase—the Western Australian Flora". florabase.dbca.wa.gov.au. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
- ^ Mueller, Ferdinand von; Mueller, Ferdinand von (1860). Plants indigenous to the colony of Victoria. Vol. 1 : Thalamiflorae. Melbourne: Government Printer.
- ^ "PlantNET – FloraOnline". plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2024-06-19.