Andrew Chick Ecology

Dittander (Lepidium latifolium), also known as Broad-leaved Pepperwort, is a striking perennial of the mustard family, typically found along the UK’s southern and eastern coasts. Recognisable by its tall, upright stems and broad, grey-green leaves, Dittander produces clusters of small, white, cross-shaped flowers through the summer months. Once widely distributed, it is now considered locally scarce, occupying a specialised niche on shingle banks, saltmarsh edges, and disturbed coastal ground.

Historically valued for its peppery leaves, which were once used as a condiment, Dittander has long had a foothold in British flora. However, its fortunes have waned due to habitat loss, coastal development, and the encroachment of more aggressive vegetation. Despite this, it persists in several strongholds, particularly where saline conditions or disturbance keep competing plants at bay.

In recent years, conservation interest in Dittander has grown. It is now being recorded more systematically, often by volunteers contributing to citizen science platforms such as the BSBI (Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland). Though not currently a priority species, its limited distribution and sensitivity to habitat change make it a useful indicator of dynamic coastal environments. Where found, Dittander adds both ecological interest and a touch of wild botanical history to the UK’s shores.

See https://www.cumbriabotany.co.uk/the-flora-of-cumbria-recording-group/flora-distribution-maps/#Lepidium_latifolium for a detailed map of the known locations in Cumbria.

In Cumbria, Dittander (Lepidium latifolium) is known only from the Barrow-in-Furness area, where it maintains a few robust, though locally restricted, colonies. The most established populations are found near Cavendish Dock (grid refs 20.68s and 22.68s), with a smaller colony nearby at Roose railway station (22.68s), and another at Rampside (22.66s). These sites represent the current extent of the species in the county.

Dittander had also been recorded historically in this area. G. Wilson noted it at both Rampside and North Walney during the 1950s. Earlier still, it was reported by E.J. Glaister in 1878 from Silloth (1.5), and by Hodgson from near Little Salkeld (5.3), though these occurrences were likely short-lived.

Nationally, Dittander’s presumed native range is concentrated along the coasts of south-east England and the Severn Estuary. Its presence in Cumbria is likely the result of casual introductions, but the persistence and strength of some Barrow colonies suggest it may now be locally naturalised.