HOARY CRESS
Lepidium draba L.
DESCRIPTION
Hoary cress is a perennial forb introduced from Eurasia. It reproduces by extensive root systems, rhizomes, and seeds. Stems are 0.5-3 feet tall and nearly hairless to moderately hairy. Leaves are alternate, oblong, 1-3 inches long, and grayish-green with toothed margins. The upper leaves are attached directly to the stem with a broad, forked base that appears to clasp the stem. The flowers are white, 4-petaled, 1/8 inch across, and borne in showy, compact racemes. The fruits are flattened, heart-shaped pods about 1/8-inch long. One granular, reddish brown seed is produced in each half of the pods.
Flowering May-July
Fruiting June-August.
PREVENTION OF SPREAD
The Noxious Weed Law (K.S.A. 2-1313a et. seq.) requires all landowners to control the spread of and to eradicate hoary cress on all lands owned or supervised by them. Methods used for control must prevent both the production of viable seed and destroy the plant’s ability to reproduce by vegetative means. Infestation sites must be monitored after control methods have been accomplished to ensure that dormant seeds in the seedbank do not germinate and establish new infestations.