Mesa Pepperwort: A Lesser-Known Native Wildflower Worth Discovering
If you’re on the hunt for native plants that fly under the radar, mesa pepperwort (Lepidium alyssoides var. eastwoodiae) might just be the hidden gem you’ve been looking for. This unassuming member of the mustard family represents one of nature’s more modest wildflowers, yet it carries the important distinction of being truly native to North America.
What Exactly Is Mesa Pepperwort?
Mesa pepperwort is a native forb that belongs to the vast and diverse mustard family. As a forb, it’s essentially a soft-stemmed flowering plant without the woody tissue that characterizes shrubs and trees. This particular variety can live as either a biennial (completing its life cycle over two years) or as a perennial, giving it some flexibility in how it approaches life in the wild.
You might also encounter this plant listed under its synonym, Lepidium montanum var. eastwoodiae, in older botanical references—just different names for the same plant as scientific naming conventions have evolved over time.
Where Does Mesa Pepperwort Call Home?
This native wildflower has carved out its niche across four states in the American West and Great Lakes region: Colorado, Michigan, New Mexico, and Utah. It’s quite the geographic spread, suggesting this plant has adapted to a variety of regional conditions while maintaining its native status throughout the lower 48 states.
Should You Consider Growing Mesa Pepperwort?
Here’s where things get a bit tricky—and honestly, a bit mysterious. Mesa pepperwort falls into that category of native plants that botanists know exists and have documented, but detailed horticultural information remains surprisingly scarce. This isn’t uncommon with some of our more specialized native varieties that haven’t made the leap into mainstream gardening.
The Case for Native Plants Like Mesa Pepperwort
Even with limited growing information available, there are compelling reasons to be interested in plants like mesa pepperwort:
- True native status: Supporting genuinely native species helps preserve regional biodiversity
- Adapted to local conditions: Native plants have evolved alongside local climate and soil conditions
- Lower maintenance potential: Once established, native plants typically require less water and care than non-natives
- Wildlife connections: Even lesser-known natives often support specialized insects and other wildlife
The Reality of Growing Lesser-Known Natives
If you’re determined to grow mesa pepperwort, you’ll likely need to become something of a plant detective. Seeds or plants probably won’t be available at your local nursery, and detailed growing guides are scarce. This is where connecting with native plant societies in Colorado, Michigan, New Mexico, or Utah might prove invaluable—local experts often have insights that haven’t made it into mainstream horticultural literature.
As a member of the mustard family, mesa pepperwort likely shares some characteristics with its better-known relatives, but without specific research on this variety, it’s risky to make too many assumptions about its needs.
Alternative Native Options
If mesa pepperwort proves too elusive, consider exploring other native Lepidium species or mustard family members native to your region. Your local native plant society can guide you toward similar plants with more established cultivation information and available sources.
The Bigger Picture
Mesa pepperwort represents something important in the native plant world—the quiet, unassuming species that form the backbone of natural ecosystems without grabbing headlines. While it may not be the easiest native to add to your garden, its very existence reminds us that biodiversity includes the subtle and specialized, not just the showy garden stars.
Sometimes the most rewarding native gardening adventures involve the plants that make you work a little harder to understand them. Mesa pepperwort might just be one of those plants—a native worth knowing about, even if growing it remains a challenge for now.
