Skip to content
IIIFolio · plant profile№ E588edible
Data provenancePermapeopleTreflePFAFPOWOreviewed 17 Oct 2026methodology → read

Lepidium apetalum

Lepidium apetalum
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Plant identification, safety, and edibility depend on local conditions, cultivars, and correct identification. Consult a qualified botanist or forager before consuming or handling wild specimens. How we source & review →
Updated·Quick Q&A →
Garden journal pausedUse profile notes below
Lepidium apetalum (Lepidium apetalum) — botanical photograph
Pl. E588 — Lepidium apetalum
Lepidium apetalumLepidium apetalumLepidium apetalumLepidium apetalumLepidium apetalumLepidium apetalumLepidium apetalumLepidium apetalumLepidium apetalumLepidium apetalumLepidium apetalumLepidium apetalumLepidium apetalumLepidium apetalum
I

Overview

Lepidium apetalum, a hardy annual or biennial herb, is native to a wide range of regions including Altay, Assam, Bangladesh, China North-Central, and many other areas such as East European Russia, Japan, and Tibet. This plant thrives in various habitats, particularly in moist environments with light to medium soil types, and can be found growing best under full sun to partial shade. Its edible leaves are a valuable resource, making it a useful forage or culinary herb in its native range. The plant can grow up to 0.3 meters tall and is known for its adaptability to diverse environmental conditions, making it a versatile addition to gardens and landscapes. While not traditionally used for medicinal purposes, the leaves can be consumed fresh or cooked, adding mild flavor to salads, soups, and stews. Lepidium apetalum is hardy and can be propagated through seeds, making it a suitable choice for gardeners interested in cultivating a diverse and versatile herb.

Quick answers

What is Lepidium apetalum?

Lepidium apetalum, a hardy annual or biennial herb, is native to a wide range of regions including Altay, Assam, Bangladesh, China North-Central, and many other areas such as East European Russia, Japan, and Tibet.

Growingconditions · propagation · uses
V

Cultivation

Lepidium apetalum thrives in full to partial sun and prefers moist, well-drained soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). This annual or biennial plant grows to a height of 0.3 meters and is adaptable to various conditions. It is hardy in temperate regions and can be propagated through seeds. The edible parts are the leaves, making it a versatile addition to the garden for both ornamental and culinary purposes.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Life cycle
Annual, Biennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.3 m tall
For first-time growers

How to grow Lepidium apetalum for the first time

7steps

Start with Lepidium apetalum as a simple, low-maintenance plant for beginners.

  1. 1

    What you'll need

    Seeds or seedlings, small pots or garden space, potting soil.

  2. 2

    Best time to plant

    Plant in spring after the last frost, or in late summer for a fall harvest.

  3. 3

    Soil and container prep

    Use well-draining soil with a mix of light (sandy), medium, or heavy clay. Ensure containers have drainage holes.

  4. 4

    Sowing or transplanting

    Direct sow seeds 0.5 cm deep in the garden or start them indoors and transplant after danger of frost passes.

  5. 5

    First two weeks

    Keep soil moist, water regularly but avoid overwatering. Provide full sun to partial shade.

  6. 6

    Ongoing care

    Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Fertilize sparingly with a balanced organic fertilizer.

  7. 7

    Harvest or pruning

    Prune leaves as needed for harvesting, ensuring not to remove more than one-third at once.

VI

Edible & utility

Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: The leaves of Lepidium apetalum are edible and can be consumed fresh or cooked. They are typically prepared in salads for their mild flavor or added to soups and stews for additional nutrition.
Contextrange · companions · related
VII

Distribution

24 native · 0 introduced
Distribution across2 continents· 24 native
Europe1 region
native (1)Russia
Asia9 regions
native (9)BangladeshChinaIndiaJapanKazakhstanMongoliaNepalPakistanSouth Korea
Broader regions
native:Altay, Kirgizstan, Krasnoyarsk, Nansei-shoto, Tuva, West Himalaya
IX

Specimen gallery

1 image
Lepidium apetalum (Lepidium apetalum) — botanical photograph
Lepidium apetalum (Lepidium apetalum)
XI

Explore further

XII

About this entry

Last updated
Citation
How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · e5883b55-26db-4dfc-8e84-698c800ce694
Decision aid
Choosing between Lepidium apetalum and something else?
Compare with another plant

Continue reading

❦❦❦❦
Endpaper · archive updates

Get archive updates

Occasional email when substantial new content lands — plant profiles, seasonal growing notes, folk-remedy additions. Free, no tracking, unsubscribe anytime.

Newsletter returning soon.
We are rebuilding the update list around a lightweight editorial workflow. New dispatches will resume after the next content review cycle.
iCare notes