SafePlants

European Sea Rocket (Cakile maritima)

European sea rocket, also known as sea rocket, is a plant found in coastal regions around the world. It's a member of the mustard family and has become naturalized in many areas outside of its native range.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant is succulent, meaning it stores water in its leaves and stems.
• Leaves, stems, flower buds, and immature seed pods can be eaten raw by humans.

Considerations for Children

• Leaves, stems, flower buds, and immature seed pods can be eaten raw by humans.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Cakile maritima Scop.
• Common Names: European sea rocket, sea rocket, European searocket, Horned Sea Rocket, Two-head Sea Rocket.
• Family: Brassicaceae (also known as Cruciferae or Mustard Family)
• Synonyms:
  • Cakile edentula (non Hook.)
  • Bunias cakile
  • Cakile maritima Scop. subsp. maritima
  • Bunias cakile L.
  • Cakile monosperma Lange
  • Rapistrum

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
• Introduced and naturalized in North America, Australia, and New Zealand.
• Grows on beaches and bluffs along most European coasts.
• Found in coastal dunes, including those in California.

Ecological Role

• Considered a pioneer species, meaning it is one of the first species to colonize disturbed areas.
• Can be invasive, sometimes replacing native shoreline plants like American sea rocket.

Morphological Characteristics

• Herbaceous annual or perennial plant.
• Succulent.
• Grows to a height of 15-40 cm.
• Waxy, thick, lobed green leaves (30 to 60 cm long).
• Pale-lavender flower clusters (fragrant rose or violet flowers).
• Two-horned seed pods.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Eaten by insects such as Phyllotreta crucifera and Phyllotreta punctulata.
• Feeder roots can be infected by root-knot nematodes.

Quirky Facts

• The origin of the genus name Cakile is from the Arabic name for the plant.