Colewort, Tartar sea-kale
Crambe cordifolia

Family: Brassicaceae

What it is like

A cabbage family herb. It is a perennial plant. It grows 1.8-2.5 m high and 1.2-1.5 m wide. The leaves are heart shaped or sword shaped. They are 35 cm long. The leaves are puckered and lobed. They are coarse and hairy. The stems are branched and criss-crossed. The flowers are small and white.

There are about 20 Crambe species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is frost hardy. It is best in a slightly alkaline soil. In Northwest India it grows between 2,400-4,200 m above sea level. Hobart Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 6-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Caucasus, East Africa, Ethiopia, Europe, Himalayas, India, Iran, Middle East, Pakistan, Slovenia, Tasmania, Tibet, Turkey, Türkiye

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten as a potherb. The root is also eaten.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Srčastolistni pustoljub

Synonyms

Crambe cordata Willd. [Invalid]; Crambe cordifolia subsp. cordifolia Steven; Crambe cordifolia var. microcarpa N. Busch;