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Sea Rocket Rocks!

Monday August 27, 2007 in
sunny savage wild food plants

Adventures by the sea usually have us turning our heads towards the ocean. But be sure to look back, as you can find a delicious plant anchoring the sand. I believe the photo above is of American sea rocket (Cakile edentula). This spicy succulent is in the mustard (Brassicaceae) family. American sea rocket is native from Virginia to Newfoundland, probably making its way to the west coast via ship ballasts in the late 1800’s. European sea rocket (Cakile maritima) arrived a bit later, probably in a similar way. Ocean currents do, however, disperse their fruits to distant lands. The two plants have widely hybridized.

Sea rocket rocks! It packs a powerful punch and was fun to have sea rocket leaves with tuna, tomato, sea rocket seedpods and flowers as hors d’oeuvres. I’ve also added them to salads. So, be sure to check out the sand dunes, as you may find yourself a tasty new vegetable.

Comment

  1. It’s great what you are doing to educate us about wild edible plants

    — George Molinary · Mar 15, 11:27 AM · #

  2. Hey thanks George!
    It’s fun to love what you do…and be able to share it with others. Have a great spring!

    cheers, ~sunny

    — sunny · Mar 15, 02:20 PM · #

  3. See interesting article in LA Times 3/30/2008 on cakile maritima threatening the nesting sites of the threatened least tern in Los Angeles County.

    — Jeanne · Mar 30, 12:00 PM · #

  4. thanks Jeanne!
    lets eat it up!!!!
    cheers, ~sunny

    — sunny · Apr 6, 08:19 AM · #

  5. Is this a different plant than New Zealand Spinach, which also grows in the sand near the ocean? If so, I wonder if I could get seeds from you?

    — elarael · Apr 20, 02:08 PM · #

  6. dear elarael,

    sorry…i don’t have any seeds. am unsure about the ‘new zealand spinach’ name.
    good luck, ~sunny

    — sunny · Apr 26, 11:10 AM · #

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