Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
Northeast Region
 
6 Plum Island Turnpike
Newburyport, Mass.
01950
(978) 465-5753

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

Pepperweed stemPepperweed flowers

 

Pepperweed can be confused with marsh elder (Iva frutescens).    

Marsh elderMarsh 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 rosette

 

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

 

Winter pepperweed

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This project is supported through a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Challenge Cost Share program.

Last updated: January 31, 2012