Lepidium

Garden cress (Lepidium)

Garden cress (Lepidium sativum), commonly known as cress, is an annual plant belonging to the Brassicaceae family. It originates from south-western Asia and north-eastern Africa, although the species is also found on other continents. In Europe, it is considered a cultivated plant that is gradually becoming wild. In Poland, cress is sown around Easter to decorate the festive table. Lepidium is also valued for its taste and health benefits. It is perfect as an addition to eggs, salads, soups and other dishes. Dried peppergrass is a valued floristic material, ideal for bouquets and other compositions.

What does lepidium look like?

The pepperweed has fairly stiff, erect stems, reaching a height of 80 cm and branching at the top. The lower leaves of the plant are pinnate, while the middle ones are trifoliate and supported by petioles. The small, quadrangular flowers are clustered together. They are white or light pink in colour. A characteristic feature of Lepidium are the siliques that form from the flowers that bloom from the bottom. They are translucent with two seeds visible inside. It is the fruit that is the most decorative element of dried pepperweed.

Lepidium in cultivation and in natural conditions

Cress has been cultivated since ancient times. It was already known as a vegetable in antiquity. It was mainly consumed – as it is today – when the cotyledons were fully developed. Today, Lepidium can also be found in gardens. The species is not demanding to grow. All you need to do is find a semi-shaded spot where no plants from the Brassicaceae family have been grown before. Cress prefers fertile and fairly well-drained soil. It is not drought-resistant, so it requires irrigation. What distinguishes it is its fairly short growing season of 2 to 4 weeks. It is worth noting that cress can also be grown in pots and boxes.

In recent decades, Lepidium has been considered a species that is gradually becoming wild. This means that, apart from controlled cultivation, it has spread to fields, meadows, wasteland and ruderal areas. However, it is still a species rarely found in natural conditions.

The use of lepidium

Lepidium is known primarily for its taste and health benefits. It has a fairly pungent aroma, which is due to the sulphur compounds it contains. This makes it a perfect complement to a variety of savoury dishes. It is a great addition to sauces, salads and soups. It tastes great with boiled eggs, which is why it is so popular during Easter. Pepper is also rich in vitamins and minerals. It is a valuable source of vitamins A, C, E and K, as well as B vitamins. It contains calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, iodine and manganese. The plants contain the most nutrients in the very early stages of growth, when the cotyledons appear. This is also the form in which it is most commonly consumed.

Dried pepperweed in floristry

Although it might seem that peppergrass has no aesthetic value, the reality is quite different. Its mature, dried and bleached stems are highly valued by florists. They have a slender shape, which makes them a wonderful addition to bouquets and other compositions. They are an excellent choice for craft enthusiasts. Dried pepperweed has shoots densely covered with small, oval pods, which makes it perfect for decorating greeting cards, weaving into macramé or creating 3D pictures. The bleached version of the plant is also perfect for decorations prepared for weddings, communions or christenings.

Lepidium at Blosmi

At Blosmi, you can find dried bleached, pink and green lepidium. One bunch contains sprigs approximately 70 cm tall. Their weight is approximately 90–100 g. All plants are carefully packaged and secured for transport.