Lepidium apetalum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lepidium chitungense
• Lepidium micranthum
• Nasturtium incisum
• Crucifera apetala
• Lepidium gobicum
• Thlaspi apetalum

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically classified within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further organized under the order Brassicales and the family Brassicaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Lepidium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions of Northern Eurasia. Within Eastern Europe, its presence is specifically noted in East European Russia. The species is also widely distributed throughout various parts of Siberia. This Siberian range includes specific locations such as Altay, Krasnoyarsk, and Tuva. Additionally, the plant can be found throughout the expansive territory of West Siberia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lepidium apetalum is characterized by its ability to thrive in specific altitudinal gradients and disturbed landscapes. This species is commonly found in open habitats, frequently colonizing roadsides where sunlight is abundant. Its distribution spans a significant vertical range, beginning at a minimum elevation of 400 m AMSL and reaching a maximum altitude of 4000 m AMSL. Across its entire range, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 1200 m AMSL, reflecting its adaptability to varying mountain and lowland environments.

Elevational range max:

4000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

400 m AMSL

Habitat :

open, roadside

Life history

The life history of Lepidium apetalum is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental process—from germination and vegetative growth to flowering and seed production—within a single growing season. Following seed dispersal, the plant emerges and undergoes a period of rapid growth to establish its structure before transitioning into its reproductive phase. Once maturity is reached, it produces flowers and seeds, which serve as the mechanism for the next generation, after which the individual plant dies. This predictable, yearly cycle ensures that the species can efficiently exploit seasonal environmental conditions to propagate before the onset of unfavorable conditions.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Lepidium apetalum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This terrestrial, independent plant lacks any parasitic or epiphytic lifestyle, functioning as a self-supporting organism rather than a climber, liana, or vine. The shoots exhibit an erect orientation, maintaining a vertical posture throughout its development. In terms of stature, the plant is relatively small, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.04 m to a maximum of 0.44 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.175 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.44 m

Plant height mean:

0.175 m

Plant height min:

0.04 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lepidium apetalum is characterized by a metabolic framework governed by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a trait shared with most temperate herbaceous species. This pathway involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) within the mesophyll cells, leading to the immediate production of three-carbon compounds during the Calvin cycle. Because it lacks the specialized carbon-concentrating mechanisms found in C4 or CAM plants, its physiological efficiency and gas exchange rates are highly dependent on environmental variables such as ambient temperature, light intensity, and water availability. Under optimal conditions, the C3 mechanism allows for efficient biomass accumulation, though it necessitates careful regulation of stomatal conductance to balance the intake of CO2 with the prevention of excessive transpirational water loss.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lepidium apetalum is characterized by a specific flowering period that typically begins in April and concludes in August, though the timing can be variable across different months. During its reproductive phase, the plant produces small fruits with dimensions that fall within a narrow range; the fruit length typically averages 0.25 cm, ranging from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 0.3 cm. The fruit width is highly consistent, maintaining a mean and minimum value of 0.2 cm, while reaching a maximum of 0.2 cm, indicating a very uniform structure. These fruits yield seeds with a mean mass of approximately 0.0353 g, facilitating the plant's dispersal and subsequent germination.

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

0.3 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.25 cm

Fruit length min:

0.2 cm

Fruit width max:

0.2 cm

Seed mass mean:

0.0353 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lepidium apetalum has 3 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed, leaf, root.

Seed

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. BMC genomic data
3. Food chemistry: X

Leaf

1. Food chemistry: X

Root

1. Food chemistry: X

Chemicals

Lepidium apetalum has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Erucin, Glucosinolates, Sterols, Unsaturated Fatty Acids, benzyl isothiocyanate.

Erucin

1. Food chemistry: X

Glucosinolates

1. BMC genomic data

Sterols

1. BMC genomic data

Unsaturated Fatty Acids

1. BMC genomic data

benzyl isothiocyanate

1. Food chemistry: X

Conditions

Lepidium apetalum has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include dyspnea, edema, cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia.

Dyspnea

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. BMC genomic data

Edema

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. BMC genomic data

Cardiovascular disease

1. BMC genomic data

Hyperlipidemia

1. BMC genomic data

Preparations

Lepidium apetalum has 3 reported preparations identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include "Beitinglizi" (Lepidii Semen), Northern Tinglizi(Lepidii Semen), traditional Chinese medicine.

"beitinglizi" (lepidii semen)

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Northern tinglizi(lepidii semen)

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Traditional chinese medicine

1. Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources