San Diego pepperweed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids San Diego pepperweed |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Lepidium
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| Species: |
latipes
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Lepidium latipes, also called San Diego pepperweed, is a small flowering plant. It belongs to the mustard family, just like broccoli or cabbage! This plant naturally grows in California and Baja California. You can often find it in soils that are a bit salty or "alkaline." It lives in many different kinds of natural areas.
What Does San Diego Pepperweed Look Like?
Lepidium latipes is an annual herb. This means it's a plant that lives for only one year. It grows from a seed, flowers, makes new seeds, and then dies.
Stems and Leaves
This plant usually has a short, thick stem. The stem is often hairy. It is usually less than 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) tall. Sometimes, it can grow a bit taller. Its leaves are long and thin, like lines. They can be several centimeters long.
Flowers and Fruits
The San Diego pepperweed grows many tiny flowers. These flowers are packed closely together in a group. This group is called an inflorescence. The flowers are hairy and have green petals. Their sepals are small leaf-like parts that protect the flower bud. These sepals are tucked in tightly around the petals.
After the flowers bloom, the plant makes small fruits. Each fruit is shaped like a cylinder or an oval. It's about half a centimeter (about 0.2 inches) long. This fruit is called a capsule.
