European sea rocket, Purple Sea Rocket
Cakile maritima
Family: Brassicaceae
What it is like
A cabbage family herb. It is an annual herb. The stems lie along the ground or bend upwards. It is 15-45 cm long. It has a white taproot. The lower leaves are 3-12 cm long. They normally have lobes arranged like along the stalk. These are oblong. They can have fine teeth along the edge. The flowers are pink to purple and have 4 petals. The fruit are fleshy and green and oval with a point at the end. (Like a rocket!) It has 2 bumps near the tip.
There are 7 Cakile species. The mostly grow near the sea.
Where it is found
It is a Mediterranean climate plant. The grow near beaches. They grow close to the high water mark. Tasmania Herbarium.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Europe (country/location of origin), France, Greece, Italy, Mediterranean, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Norway, Portugal, Scandinavia, Sicily, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Sweden, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay, USA
How it is used for food
The leaves are bitter but can be eaten. They are cooked. They are also used in pickles. The root is pounded into flour and used with bread. The young leaves, stems, flower buds and unripe pods are eaten raw in salads and sandwiches.
The leaves and flowers are foraged and eaten in restaurants in Sweden.
Edible parts
Leaves, seeds, root, flowers
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seeds.
The young tender shoots are picked and used as flavouring.
Its other names
Local names
Aruca, marina, Arucula di mari, Horned sea rocket, Leaf sea rocket, Strandreddik. Two-horned Sea-rocket