Lepidium didymum L.
Bitter Cress
Lesser swine-cress is a low, sprawling crucifer, an annual or biennial that forms mats of trailing or ascending stems up to about 40cm long, clothed in finely divided, almost ferny leaves that give off a sharp, unpleasant smell when bruised. Its flowers are tiny and inconspicuous, white with very short petals or none at all, opening through high summer into autumn, and followed by small, two-lobed, warty fruits.
About
Lesser swine-cress is a low, sprawling crucifer, an annual or biennial that forms mats of trailing or ascending stems up to about 40cm long, clothed in finely divided, almost ferny leaves that give off a sharp, unpleasant smell when bruised. Its flowers are tiny and inconspicuous, white with very short petals or none at all, opening through high summer into autumn, and followed by small, two-lobed, warty fruits. It is not a British native but a neophyte, thought to originate in South America, recorded here in the wild since the eighteenth century and now thoroughly naturalised.
It is a plant of trampled and disturbed ground, common on pavements, path edges, farmyards, gateways and waste places in full sun, tolerating compaction well. Of little ornamental or pollinator value, it is best regarded as a weed of bare, well-used ground rather than a candidate for wildflower seed mixes, and is described here for accurate identification.
Also known as
Lesser Swine's Cress · Lesser Swine-cress · Lesser Swinecress · Slender Wart-Cress · Swinecress
Synonyms
Biscutella apetala · Carara didyma · Cochlearia humifusa · Coronopus didymus · Coronopus didymus eudidymus · Coronopus didymus incisus · Coronopus didymus macrocarpus · Coronopus didymus pectinatus · Coronopus didymus procumbens · Coronopus didymus rosulatus · Coronopus heleniana
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.