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Diplotaxis muralis - (L.)DC.

Wall Rocket

Author	(L.)DC.	Botanical references	17
Family	Cruciferae	Genus	Diplotaxis
Synonyms	Brassica muralis - (L.)Huds. Sisymbrium murale - L.
Known Hazards	None known
Range	Europe - Mediterranean. Naturalized in S. Britain[17].
Habitat	Limestone rocks, walls and as a weed of arable ground in England[17].
Edibility Rating	3 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	0 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Annual/Perennial growing to 0.6m.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds; East Wall In; South Wall In; West Wall In;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves.

Edible Uses: Condiment.

Leaves - raw[52]. They can be finely chopped and added sparingly to salads or used as a flavouring for cooked dishes[183]. A piquant flavour, somewhat resembling rocket, Eruca sativa, but with a sharp aftertaste[132, 183].

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

Prefers dry soils and dislikes shade[175]. Very resistant to heat, this plant could be used as a perennial substitute for Eruca vesicaria sativa, the annual rocket, in hot summer areas[183].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in situ as soon as it is ripe, though it can also be sown in situ in the spring. The seed usually germinates in the autumn.

Links

References

[17] Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962
A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.

[52] Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn 1980
A good and comprehensive guide to temperate salad plants, with full organic details of cultivation.

[132] Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth. 0
Lovely pictures, a very readable book.

[175] Bird. R. (Editor) Focus on Plants. Volume 5. (formerly 'Growing from seed') Thompson and Morgan. 1991
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. A good article on Corydalis spp.

[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

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