How to Identify Perennial Pepperweed

Perennial pepperweed characteristics:

• Herbaceous stem                                                       
• Alternate leaves
• Leaves entire (smooth) or finely toothed
• Leaves lance-shaped with strong, white veins
• Mustardy horseradish smell to stem and roots
• White flowers present in July

Marsh elder characteristics:

• Woody stem                                                   
• Opposite leaves except for upper reduced leaves
• Leaves toothed
• Leaves egg-shaped or narrowly lance-shaped
• Green flowers present in September

Pepperweed in rosette form:

When pepperweed begins new growth, it is in a rosette form and will remain in this state for several weeks before the stem grows. The rosette form can be confused with common plantain, which is a native species. Plaintain has long, parallel veins and a trough-like stem.

Pepperweed in winter:

Pepperweed cannot be pulled during the winter, though it can be mapped, as the plant stalk from the previous season remains standing. To identify pepperweed during winter look for the following:

• Tall plant stalks, which are dead and easily breakable
• Stalks congregated in stands
• Alternate branching
• Wispy branches that are whitish-gray in color