Lepidium L. 1753, Sp. Pl. 2: 643; id. 1754, Gen.

Pl., ed. 5: 291.

Plants are annual, biennial or rarely perennial. Leaves are entire to pinnatisect divided. Raceme elongated in fruit. Species of Lepidium have a different number of stamens. Cruciferae typically has 6 stamens but in Lepidium there are also 2 and 4 stamens in flower. Sepals erect with a white margin. Petals are white or yellow, longer than sepals, equal in length or absent. The fruit is silicula and shape varies from orbicular to ovate. Seed ovoid, 1 per locule.