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Diplotaxis tenuifolia - (L.)DC.

Perennial Wall Rocket

Author	(L.)DC.	Botanical references	17
Family	Cruciferae	Genus	Diplotaxis
Synonyms	Brassica tenuifolia - (L.)Fries. Sisymbrium tenuifolium - L.
Known Hazards	None known
Range	Southern and central Europe, possibly including Britain.
Habitat	Old walls and waste places in S. England, a casual further north[17]. This plant is doubtfully native in Britain[17].
Edibility Rating	4 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	0 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 0.6m.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires dry or moist soil.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds; East Wall In; West Wall In;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves.

Leaves - raw. Used in salads, they are very strongly flavoured of cress[217]. The leaves have a hot flavour, very similar to rocket (Eruca vesicaria sativa) but more strongly flavoured - they make an excellent addition to a mixed salad but are too strong to be used in quantity on their own[K]. The plant is very productive, producing leaves from early spring until the autumn[K].

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

See the plants native habitat for ideas on its cultivation needs[K].

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

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[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.

[217] Les Ecologistes de l'Euzière Les Salades Sauvages Not given. 1994 ISBN 2-906128-04-X
A lovely little book about some wild salads in France. Written in French.

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.

Diplotaxis tenuifolia

Stephen Mifsud Sat Dec 7 10:29:08 2002

Very common plant in Malta.

Check more data and pics about this plant on my site: www.marz-kreations.com/WildPlants/MaltaWildPlants.html

Link: MarZ Kreations - Wild Plants in Malta Online Database

Diplotaxis tenuifolia

serdal sakcali Wed May 21 10:22:01 2003

D. tenuifolia is widely distributed plant from Australia, Turkey, Europe and USA. It is generally known as Mediterranean. Ruderal plant, generally grow in calcerous soils.

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