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sea kale
Scientific Name: Crambe maritima
Family: Brassicaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Sea Kale (Crambe maritima)
Crambe maritima, commonly known as sea kale, seakale, or crambe, is a fascinating plant with a rich history and increasing popularity. This species belongs to the Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) family and is native to the coasts of Europe.
Considerations for Pets
- This plant is sometimes grown in gardens.
Considerations for Children
- This plant is sometimes grown in gardens.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Crambe maritima
- Common Names: Sea kale, Seakale, Crambe
- Family: Brassicaceae (also known as Cruciferae)
- Kingdom: (Implied: Plantae)
Distribution and Habitat
- Sea kale grows wild along the coasts of Europe, ranging from the North Atlantic to the Black Sea.
- It is often found on coastal sands, shingle, rocks, and cliffs.
- In the UK, it is a native vegetable and can be seen growing wild on British shores, especially on shingle.
Ecological Role
- Sea kale is a rare plant generally restricted to shingle.
- It attracts beneficial insects.
Morphological Characteristics & Growth Habits
- Sea kale is a long-lived perennial plant.
- It has alien-looking purple shoots and sculpturesque leaves.
- It produces tall branching airy heads of tiny, white flowers on stout green stems in June.
- The flowers are replaced by tiny rounded green beads.
- It can be grown in full sun or partial shade in deep, fertile, well-drained soil.
Traditional and Modern Uses
- Sea kale has a long history of culinary use, dating back to Roman times when it was preserved in barrels for sea voyages.
- Its high vitamin C content was beneficial for preventing scurvy.
- It is described as having a taste that combines kale, cabbage, broccoli, and asparagus.
- It was once very popular in Victorian kitchen gardens.
- The shoots are blanched, often by covering with straw or using a forcer.
- The root can also be consumed.
Quirky Facts
- Sea kale is considered indigenous to the UK, unlike potatoes and carrots.
- It is propagated more quickly and easily from cuttings than from seed.
- Sea kale is not related to kelp or seaweed and can be grown away from the seashore.
Further Information
- RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) provides help and information on Crambe maritima sea kale.
- BBC Gardeners' World Magazine offers advice on growing and forcing sea kale.
- Collins English Dictionary provides a definition of "sea kale."