Lepidium heterophyllum Benth. (syn.: L. smithii Hook.) (W-Eur.) – A very rare, locally naturalised alien. First recorded on fallow fields in Bouillon in 1866 and between 1881 and 1884 in Egenhoven. A record from dry grassland in Ukkel (1874-1875) is possibly not wild (Hoste 2006). Furthermore also observed in Stokt in the 19th century. In the past decades apparently slightly increasing and recorded on various occasions. At first five specimens in a sandy road verge in 1981 in Ravels (Klaverberg). Furthermore discovered in the 1980’s and in 1990 on a dry, sandy canalbank in Aalter and Knesselare respectively (Hoste 1998). Recorded twice on gravelly riverbanks of river Maas (Kerkeweerd and Meeswijk) since 2004 and 2005 respectively. One recent record is available from Wallonia (Olloy-sur-Viroin, on steep calcareous slope since 1997; comm. W. White). Lepidium heterophyllum mostly grows in dry, more or less disturbed, sandy or stony habitats.
Lepidium heterophyllum much looks like native L. campestre and both have long been confused in Belgium (see Hoste 1998 for more details about their distinction).
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Selected literature:
Adolphi K. (1986) Lepidium heterophyllum (DC.) Benth., eine in der BRD nicht ausgestorbene, sondern übersehene und verwechselte Art. Floristische Rundbriefe 19(2): 78-79.
Gerstberger P. (1990) Zum Vorkommen von Lepidium heterophyllum (DC) BENTH. (Brassicaceae) in der Eifel. Decheniana 143: 189-193.
Hoste I. (1998) Twee recente groeiplaatsen van Lepidium heterophyllum Benth. (Brassicaceae) in Oost-Vlaanderen. Dumortiera 72: 12-17.
Hoste I. (2006) Lepidium heterophyllum. In: Van Landuyt W., Hoste I., Vanhecke L., Van den Bremt P., Vercruysse W. & De Beer D., Atlas van de flora van Vlaanderen en het Brussels gewest. Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek, Nationale Plantentuin van België en Flo.Wer: 535-536.
Verloove F. (2002) Ingeburgerde plantensoorten in Vlaanderen. Mededeling van het Instituut voor Natuurbehoud n° 20: 227 p.
Weeda E.J. (1999) Lepidium heterophyllum Bentham, ein Neophyt atlantischer Herkunft im nordwestlichen Deutschland und in der Niederlande. Abhandl. Naturwissenschaftlichen Verein Bremen 44: 455-466.