THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



105 



COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' DEPARTMENT. 



HOARY CRESS. 



{Lepidium draba.) 



By Jos. F. Wetzel, Yreka, Cal. 



Although we have many noxious weeds in Siskiyou County the one 

 that is giving us the greatest trouble is the so-called "Hoary Cress," or 

 Lepidium draba. This is a European plant used in Paris as a border 

 along the streets. It is a perennial with short narrow ovate leaves, and 

 small white flowers. The tap root is very long, somewhat similar to an 

 alfalfa root. Lateral roots are sent out from near the surface of the 



Fig. 19. — Hoary Cress, Lepidium draba (Original). 



ground and new plants are developed from the ends of these. Where 

 the plant is well established these lateral roots form a perfect mat, 

 sometimes to the depth of four or five feet. The writer dug a hole to 

 about that depth and found the ground matted heavily. The hole was 

 left open and about three weeks later the roots at the bottom of the 

 hole were nearly as active in sending up shoots as those nearer the sur- 

 face. When the roots are cut each torn piece sends up a new shoot. 

 In this respect it resembles Johnson grass, and is much worse than the 

 morning-glory (bind weed). 



