Rocket
Eruca vesicaria

Family: Brassicaceae

What it is like

A cabbage family herb. It is an annual plant. It grows to a height of 1 m and spreads to 0.5 m across. It has a taproot, The stem is erect and slender with few branches. The leaves are bright green and occur opposite each other. The leaves have deep lobes. The flowers are white or pale yellow with purple veins. There are 4 petals. The fruit are 1-4.5 cm long. They are beaked and erect. There are many seeds and are round and 1-2 mm across.

There are 4 or 5 Eruca species. The seeds contain 30-35% oil.

Where it is found

A native of Mediterranean regions. It will grow on most well drained soils. It prefers an open sunny position. It is drought and frost resistant. It can grow on poor soils and with low rainfall. It suits hardiness zones 7-10. In the tropics it grows up to 2,100 m altitude. It can grow in arid places. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Algeria, Amazon, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Balkans, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Caucasus, Central Africa, Central Asia, Chad, Chile, China, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Crete, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Dagestan, East Africa, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Europe, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hawaii, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mediterranean (country/location of origin), Mexico, Middle East, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, New Zealand, Niger, North Africa, North America, Norway, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Palestine, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, Sicily, SE Asia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Socotra, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sudan, Switzerland, Syria, Tasmania, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, UAE, USA, Uzbekistan, West Africa, West Indies, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young leaves are used as a salad vegetable. They are tender, bitter and slightly mustard flavoured. Older leaves can be pureed and used in soups and sauces. The seeds are also eaten. They are used in pickles. They are used for Persian mustard. The seeds yield an edible oil. The flowers are used as a garnish. The seeds can be sprouted and eaten.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, herb, spice, flowers, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seeds germinate in about 1 day at 25°C. Plants need to be cross-pollinated by insects to produce seed.

It should be grown using high nitrogen levels to assist rapid growth and reduce the bitterness. Leaves are picked before flowering to give a more mild taste. Leaves can be harvested after about 3-4 weeks.

Its other names

Local names

Arugula, Assu, Bhutaghna, Bou hammou, Braymabogani, Chipiquelite, Daradharsha, Garden rocket, Garguir, Jamama, Jamba oil, Jamba, Jaramago blanco, Jar jeer, Jawawa, Jirjir, Laken, Lharra, Mediterranean rocket, Navadna rukvica, Oruga, Rabano, Rauke, Rocket-salad, Roka, Roketsuto, Roman rocket, Roqueta, Roquette, Ruca, Rucola, Rucula, Rugula, Selmogi, Seoha, Shwetsursha, Tamira, Tara-mira, Tara, Taramira, Usan, Yabani roka, Zi ma cai

Synonyms

Brassica eruca L.; Brassica erucoides Roxb., nom. illeg.; Brassica lativalvis Boissier; Brassica pinnatifida Desf.; Eruca foetida Moench.; Eruca cappadocica Reut.; Eruca cappadocica Reuter var. eriocarpa Boissier; Eruca sativa Miller; Eruca sativa var. eriocarpa (Boissier) Post; Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa (Mill.) Thell.; and others