Lenspod Whitetop: Why You Should Avoid This Invasive Plant
If you’ve stumbled across lenspod whitetop (Cardaria chalepensis) in your research for garden plants, here’s some important information you need to know before making any planting decisions. This perennial plant might look innocent enough with its clusters of small white flowers, but it’s actually a highly aggressive invader that can wreak havoc on both natural ecosystems and cultivated landscapes.
What is Lenspod Whitetop?
Lenspod whitetop is a non-native perennial herb that originally hails from the Mediterranean region and southwestern Asia. Despite its delicate-sounding name, this plant is anything but gentle when it comes to spreading through landscapes. It’s also known by several synonyms in scientific literature, but you might see it referenced as Cardaria draba subspecies or Lepidium draba subspecies in older texts.
The plant gets its lenspod name from its distinctive heart-shaped seed pods that somewhat resemble tiny lenses. These pods are actually one of the key identifying features that help distinguish it from other white-flowered plants.
Where Does It Grow?
Unfortunately, lenspod whitetop has established itself across a wide swath of North America. You can find it growing wild in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and throughout much of the western and central United States including California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, among others.
Why You Should Avoid Planting Lenspod Whitetop
Here’s the bottom line: lenspod whitetop is a serious invasive species that you absolutely should not plant in your garden. While it might seem appealing with its clusters of small white flowers that bloom in spring and early summer, this plant is a ecological troublemaker for several reasons:
- It spreads aggressively through both underground rhizomes and seeds
- It outcompetes native plants for resources and space
- It’s extremely difficult to eradicate once established
- It can quickly dominate large areas, creating monocultures
- It provides little ecological value compared to native alternatives
Identifying Lenspod Whitetop
If you suspect you might have lenspod whitetop on your property, here are the key features to look for:
- Dense clusters of small, four-petaled white flowers
- Gray-green, somewhat fuzzy leaves
- Heart-shaped or lens-shaped seed pods
- Plants typically 1-2 feet tall
- Forms dense patches through underground spread
- Blooms from late spring through early summer
Better Native Alternatives
Instead of planting lenspod whitetop, consider these beautiful native alternatives that provide similar white flowers but support local ecosystems:
- Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) – attracts beneficial pollinators
- White prairie clover (Dalea candida) – fixes nitrogen in soil
- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – drought tolerant with long bloom period
- White wild indigo (Amorpha alba) – supports native butterflies and moths
What to Do If You Find It
If you discover lenspod whitetop growing on your property, it’s important to take action quickly before it spreads further. Contact your local extension office or invasive species coordinator for guidance on the best removal methods for your area. Early detection and rapid response are key to preventing this plant from becoming a bigger problem.
Remember, when it comes to gardening and landscaping, choosing native plants is almost always the better option. They’re adapted to local conditions, support local wildlife, and won’t cause the ecological headaches that come with invasive species like lenspod whitetop.
