Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Brassicales
Genus:
Species:
meyenii
ID:
358998

Status:
valid

Authors:
Walp.

Source:
cmp

Year:
1843

Citation Micro:
Nov. Actorum Acad. Caes. Leop.-Carol. Nat. Cur. 19(Suppl. 1): 249 (1843)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000358330



Common Names

  • Lepidium meyenii
  • Meyen's Peppergrass
  • Meyen's Lepidium


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Synonyms

  • Lepidium gelidum Wedd. [unknown]
  • Lepidium weddellii O.E.Schulz [unknown]
  • Lepidium meyenii gelidum Hosseus [unknown]
  • Lepidium meyenii gelidum Thell. [unknown]
  • Lepidium meyenii affine Thell. [unknown]
  • Lepidium peruvianum G.Chacón [unknown]
  • Lepidium affine Wedd. [unknown]
  • Lepidium orbignyanum Wedd. [unknown]
  • Lepidium meyenii affine Thell. [deprecated]

Description

Lepidium meyenii (also called Maca, among many other common names) is an annual herbaceous plant native to the Andes Mountains. It has a low-growing habit and is characterized by its oval-shaped leaves and white flowers with five petals. It grows in dry, sunny areas, such as in deserts and on rocky slopes.

Uses & Benefits

Lepidium meyenii is used as an ornamental plant, for erosion control, and as a source of food for wildlife.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

The flower of Lepidium meyenii is white to pinkish in color and has four petals. The seeds are small and black. The seedlings are small and have a single cotyledon.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Lepidium meyenii is an annual herb that can be propagated by seed. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and full sun or partial shade. It can be grown in containers or in the ground. It is drought tolerant and can tolerate some frost.

Where to Find Lepidium meyenii

Lepidium meyenii can be found in the western United States, including parts of California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.

Lepidium meyenii FAQ

What is the scientific name of Lepidium meyenii?

Lepidium meyenii

What is the common name of Lepidium meyenii?

Meyen's Lepidium

What is the natural habitat of Lepidium meyenii?

Lepidium meyenii is found in moist meadows, roadsides, and waste places

Species in the Lepidium genus

Lepidium grandifructum, Lepidium fraseri, Lepidium gracile, Lepidium depressum, Lepidium didymum, Lepidium hirtum, Lepidium horstii, Lepidium graminifolium, Lepidium heterophyllum, Lepidium cardamine, Lepidium cartilagineum, Lepidium chalepense, Lepidium burkartii, Lepidium campestre, Lepidium cumingianum, Lepidium chichicara, Lepidium cyclocarpum, Lepidium densiflorum, Lepidium coronopifolium, Lepidium costaricense, Lepidium myrianthum, Lepidium merrallii, Lepidium meyenii, Lepidium meyeri, Lepidium navasii, Lepidium nesophilum, Lepidium nitidum, Lepidium oblongum, Lepidium obtusatum, Lepidium niloticum, Lepidium johnstonii, Lepidium jujuyanum, Lepidium karelinianum, Lepidium lepidioides, Lepidium latifolium, Lepidium apetalum, Lepidium amplexicaule, Lepidium angolense, Lepidium affine, Lepidium africanum, Lepidium alashanicum, Lepidium appelianum, Lepidium beckii, Lepidium bidentatum, Lepidium aucheri, Lepidium aranense, Lepidium argentinum, Lepidium armoracium, Lepidium auriculatum, Lepidium bonariense,

Species in the Brassicaceae family

Abdra brachycarpa, Abdra aprica, Acuston perenne, Aethionema rhodopaeum, Aethionema alanyae, Aethionema arabicum, Aethionema armenum, Aethionema capitatum, Aethionema carlsbergii, Aethionema carneum, Aethionema cephalanthum, Aethionema cordatum, Aethionema coridifolium, Aethionema demirizii, Aethionema diastrophis, Aethionema dumanii, Aethionema edentulum, Aethionema eunomioides, Aethionema fimbriatum, Aethionema froedinii, Aethionema gileadense, Aethionema glaucinum, Aethionema grandiflorum, Aethionema heterocarpum, Aethionema heterophyllum, Aethionema huber-morathii, Aethionema karamanicum, Aethionema lepidioides, Aethionema levandowskyi, Aethionema lycium, Aethionema marashicum, Aethionema membranaceum, Aethionema munzurense, Aethionema orbiculatum, Aethionema papillosum, Aethionema retsina, Aethionema saxatile, Aethionema schistosum, Aethionema semnanensis, Aethionema speciosum, Aethionema spicatum, Aethionema stylosum, Aethionema subulatum, Aethionema syriacum, Aethionema thesiifolium, Aethionema thomasianum, Aethionema transhyrcanum, Aethionema turcicum, Aethionema umbellatum, Aethionema virgatum,

References