Stem

  • Up to 6 ft. tall, semi-woody, waxy and lacks hair (glabrous); many stems can arise from each crown; often branched near top; branches arise from leaf axils
Photo of perennial pepper weed plant
 

Leaves

  • Alternate, oval to lance-shaped, mostly 3-12 in. long, 1-3 in. wide, green to gray-green, lack hair and waxy; edges (margins) smooth to toothed and can also be curled; leaf bases DO NOT clasp stem; lower leaves larger than upper leaves
Photo of perennial pepperweed rosette
 

Flower

  • Small and white with 4 petals; arranged in dense clusters at the tips of stems
  • Seed pods are round, flattened, less than 0.1 in. diameter, usually covered with hairs; each seed pod has 2 chambers, each with 1 seed
Photo of perennial pepperweed with white flowers
 

Root

  • Creeping root system
Photo of perennial pepperweed bush with white flowers

Other

  • Grows best on moist sites; often found in floodplains, pastures, meadows, hay fields and along waterways; known to occur throughout Nevada
  • Perennial; reproduces by roots and seed
  • Also known as tall whitetop
 
Photo of a field of perennial pepperweed

Control

  • Mowing, digging, tillage, burning and grazing established stands is NOT effective 
  • Apply chlorsulfuron, imazapic, imazapyr, or metsulfuron to actively growing plants through early-bloom; 2,4-D and glyphosate at bud to flower can be effective if repeated for several years
Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Perennial pepperweed, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Extension Associated Contacts

Heidi Kratsch
Heidi Kratsch
 

Also of Interest:

 
Hardening Off Plants
When plants are taken from a sheltered environment, like a home or a nursery, it is important that they be given the chance to become accustomed to the new one. This fact sheet gives gardeners the information they need to help plants successfully make the transition.
 Davis, R., and O'Callaghan, A. 2003, Extension, University of Nevada Reno, FS-03-71
Propagating Houseplants
This publication covers the basic techniques of propagating houseplants. It is geared toward homeowners who would like to grow new plants for themselves and others. It can be used to teach adults and children the joy of cultivating the plants.
 Robinson, M.L. and Roberts, A. 1998, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS 98 -92
Introduction to Houseplants
This short fact sheet gives the reader a better understanding of the basic requirements for success in growing houseplants it includes recommendations for indoor plants that perform well in the desert Southwest.
 Roberts, A., and Robinson, M. L. 1998, Extension, University of Nevada Reno, FS-98-91
norfolk pine with red ornament
Norfolk Island pine: a living Christmas tree
How to care for Norfolk Island pine trees indoors.
 Fisher, J. 2017, Reno Gazette Journal
 

Associated Programs

Master Gardeners at tabling event

Master Gardeners of Nevada

Program trains local gardeners to provide research-based horticulture information to Nevadans.

hands holding freshly picked carrots

Grow Your Own, Nevada!

Learn the secrets of high desert gardening

Garden plant and pest sprayers image by Olga Seifutdinova from Getty Images

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management program is a long-term management strategy that uses a combination of tactics to reduce pests to tolerable levels with potentially lower costs for the pest manager and minimal effect on the environment.