Home Brassicaceae Lepidium

Lepidium campestre (L.) R. Br.

Common Name: FIELD CRESS
Coefficient of Conservatism: *
Coefficient of Wetness: 5
Wetness Index: UPL
Physiognomy: Ad B-Forb

An introduced Eurasian species, now quite widespread in the state. Roadsides, railroads, sandy fields, sandy and gravelly shores, and other disturbed sites, sometimes spreading into dry forests. First collected in the state in 1892 in Ingham Co., but very soon afterwards collected at several places across the state.

Distinctive in its dense pubescence and sagittate-clasping leaves, yet surprisingly often other species of the genus and even plants of other genera are misidentified as L. campestre. The unique fruit is somewhat oblong (rather than round as in the other species), and inflated in the middle (rather than flat), though still bordered with a distinct flat wing; furthermore, it is covered with minute pale papillae.

A. A. Reznicek

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Counties
Alcona
Alger
Allegan
Alpena
Antrim
Barry
Benzie
Berrien
Branch
Calhoun
Cass
Charlevoix
Cheboygan
Chippewa
Clare
Crawford
Delta
Eaton
Emmet
Genesee
Gladwin
Gogebic
Grand Traverse
Gratiot
Hillsdale
Houghton
Ingham
Ionia
Iosco
Isabella
Jackson
Kalamazoo
Kent
Keweenaw
Lake
Lapeer
Leelanau
Lenawee
Livingston
Mackinac
Macomb
Manistee
Marquette
Mason
Mecosta
Monroe
Montmorency
Muskegon
Newaygo
Oakland
Oceana
Ogemaw
Oscoda
Otsego
Ottawa
Presque Isle
Roscommon
Sanilac
Schoolcraft
Shiawassee
St. Clair
St. Joseph
Tuscola
Van Buren
Washtenaw
Wayne

Citation:
MICHIGAN FLORA ONLINE. A. A. Reznicek, E. G. Voss, & B. S. Walters. February 2011. University of Michigan. Web. March, 17, 2025
https://lsa-miflora-p.lsait.lsa.umich.edu/#/record/660