London rocket
Sisymbrium irio

Family: Brassicaceae

What it is like

A cabbage family herb. It is an annual plant. It grows up to 70 cm tall. It is almost hairless. The leaves are oblong to sword shaped. The flowers are pale yellow. The seed pod stalk is slender. The fruit are narrow and 3-4 cm long by 1 mm wide. The seeds are oblong and 1 mm long by 0.5 mm wide.

There are about 80 Sisymbrium species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in rocky slopes, orchards, roadsides, fields, pastures, waste grounds, prairies, disturbed sites near sea level to 1700 m altitude in China. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 3,500 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Algeria, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azores, Balkans, Belgium, Bolivia, Britain, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Central America, Central Asia, Chile, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, East Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Europe, France, Germany, Greece, Hawaii, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kashmir, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Nepal, Netherlands, Niger, North Africa, North America, Mexico, Middle East, Morocco, North America, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, Sicily, Sinai, Slovakia, South America, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, W Asia, West Africa, Yemen, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The seeds are parched and used to make a cooling drink. They are stored for later use as a porridge. The young leaves are eaten raw or cooked. They are boiled or fried.

It is a famine food.

Edible parts

Flowers, leaves, seeds, stems

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Approcchiu, Asalio, Chamarak, Demet, Hakseer, Hoob sublan, Janglisarson, Jaramago, Jaya keachi, Jenjar, Jhenjer, Khakasi, Khakshi, Kharkasai, Khashi, Khubkalan, Khubkata, Khud-e-kalan, Kibs, Kuchila, Maktrusa, Matacandil, Mostacilla, Nabillo, Parjan, Peeli booti, Pisciacani, Rabaniza, Ran-tiki, Shersham, Velar, Woraki

Synonyms

Arabis charbonnelii H. Léveillé; Sisymbrium orientale L.;