Virginia peppergrass

Virginia peppergrass (Lepidium virginicum) is a species of peppergrass, a genus of herbs in the mustard family (Brassicaceae). Found throughout North America, it is sometimes called canary grass because its seed stalks are fed to cage birds. The leaves of Virginia peppergrass are edible and can be used in salads.1

Peppergrass species are distributed globally and many are common weeds. Some are cultivated for their peppery leaves used in salads, while others are important in herbal medicine. These plants typically have a taproot, with basal leaves differing from those on the flowering stalks. They produce small, greenish or whitish flowers and flat, round fruits called silicles that contain seeds.1