Lepidium latifolium - Dittander

Family:	Cruciferae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.2
Width:	1
Synonyms:
Range:	Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to N. Africa and W. Asia.

Lepidium latifolium (Dittander) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.2m and a width of 1m . It has a hardness rating of 6and is vunerable to frost.
Dittander will flower in December to January. the seeds ripen from January to February
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Dittander will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Dittander prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Dittander can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Salt marshes and wet sands[17] on the south and east coasts[5].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade
• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds
• Suits a meadow

Cultivation Details

A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils in sun or light shade. Plants have been surviving quite happily with us, and are still spreading freely, in dense grass that is rarely cut[K]. Dittander was formerly cultivated as a food condiment in Britain and in ancient Greece[17, 183]. It is a very invasive plant, capable of spreading more than a metre per year by means of its aggressive root system[K]. It produces new growth early in the year and so can be a useful salad ingredient in late winter[K].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 3/5
Young leaves - raw or cooked[2, 61, 74]. A very hot cress-like flavour[K]. The leaves are nice when used in small quantities as a flavouring in salads[K]. Some reports also suggest using them as a potherb[183], though they have always seemed to be too strong for us to want to try this[K]. The leaves are available very early in the year[K]. Root - it can be grated and made into a sauce which is used as a horseradish substitute[2, 5, 183]. It has a pungently hot flavour. Seed - used as a condiment[177, 183].

• Condiment - the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.
• Leaves -
• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
The plant is antiscorbutic, depurative and stomachic[61, 240]. An infusion of the plant is used in the treatment of liver and kidney diseases, it increases cardiac amplitude, decreases frequency and regulates the rhythm[240]. It is also used as a resolvent in the treatment of skin diseases[240].

• Antiscorbutic - A plant rich in vitamin C that is used to counteract scurvy.
• Depurative - Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.
• Hepatic - Acts on the liver (for better or worse!).
• Kidney - Used in the treatment of kidney diseases
• Resolvent - Breaks down tumors. This might be placed under antitumor.
• Stomachic - Aids and improves the action of the stomach.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the spring. Division in spring. Plant them out direct into their permanent positions. Division is very simple and succeeds at almost any time of the year[K].

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

Used as an insecticide[100]. No further details are given, but it is likely to be a strong infusion of the leaves and stems that is used.

• Insecticide - Kills insects.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

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