Blue Mountains National Resources Institute

Wanted: DEAD!

Perennial Pepperweed

Alias: Broad-leafed peppergrass, tall whitetop, Virginia pepperweed

• Stems: Up to 6 feet high
• Leaves: 12 inches long, bright green to gray-green, leathery, toothed to entire. Lower leaves taper to a stalk, upper leaves reduced in size and sessile, but not clasping. Leaves have prominent whitish midvein.
• Flowers: Borne in large dense masses; four sepals and petals, white, about 1/16-inch long, rounded in outline and flattened, bearing a few hairs. Flowering period from June to September.
• Seeds: Contained in light reddish-brown fruits, minutely roughened. Two seeds per fruit.

Perennial pepperweed spreads both from a widely spreading root system and from seed. It is often found growing in wet areas along roadsides and ditches. It can invade cropland. It is extremely difficult to control because of the extensive root system.

Control: Consult with you local weed control office for information about stopping the spread of this weed.

Report all sightings to your local Weed Board