What is poorman's pepper?
By Chelsie Vandaveer
October 25, 2002
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Virginia peppergrass (Lepidium virginicum Linnaeus) [le pe' di um vir gin' i cum] is a common annual 'weed' in the Brassicaceae or mustard family. Native to North America, Virginia peppergrass was well-known to early settlers and Native Americans. It is one of the first weeds up in the spring and tolerant of late frosts.
Virginia peppergrass contains glucosinolates which serve to discourage herbivory. Glucosinolates and their derived chemicals, the isothiocyanates, are pungent and somewhat bitter--an acquired taste.
Settlers and small farmers who lived too far from cities or simply could not afford to purchase spices frequently used peppergrass as a seasoning. Small amounts of Virginia peppergrass were used to flavor salads and cooked greens adding a peppery flavor to normally bland foods. Its use as a seasoning gave the plant the name, "poorman's pepper".
The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation has several photographs of peppergrass (Lepidium virginicum) including close-ups of the flowers. To view the photographs, click on the link:
Click here to view the photographs
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