Rocket
A native of Mediterranean regions. It will grow on most well drained soils. It prefers an open sunny position. It is drought and frost resistant. It can grow on poor soils and with low rainfall. It suits hardiness zones 7-10. In the tropics it grows up to 2,100 m altitude. It can grow in arid places. Tasmania Herbarium.
Also known as:
Arugula, Assu, Bhutaghna, Bou hammou, Chipiquelite, Daradharsha, Garden rocket, Garguir, Jamba oil, Jamba, Jaramago blanco, Jar jeer, Jawawa, Jirjir, Lharra, Mediterranean rocket, Navadna rukvica, Oruga, Rauke, Rocket-salad, Roka, Roketsuto, Roman rocket, Roqueta, Roquette, Ruca, Rucola, Rucula, Rugula, Seoha, Shwetsursha, Tamira, Tara-mira, Tara, Taramira, Usan, Yabani roka, Zi ma cai
Synonyms
- Brassica eruca L.
- Brassica erucoides Roxb., nom. illeg.
- Brassica lativalvis Boissier
- Brassica pinnatifida Desf.
- Eruca foetida Moench.
- Eruca cappadocica Reut.
- Eruca cappadocica Reuter var. eriocarpa Boissier
- Eruca sativa Miller
- Eruca sativa var. eriocarpa (Boissier) Post
- Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa (Mill.) Thell.
- and others
Edible Portion
- Leaves, Seeds, Herb, Spice, Flowers, Vegetable
Where does Rocket grow?
Found in: Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Algeria, Amazon, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Caucasus, Central Africa, Central Asia, Chad, Chile, China, Cook Islands, Crete, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Dagestan, East Africa, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Europe, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hawaii, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mediterranean, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, New Zealand, Niger, North Africa, North America, Norway, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Palestine, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Socotra, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sudan, Switzerland, Syria, Tasmania, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, UAE, United States, Uzbekistan, West Africa, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe
Notes: There are 4 or 5 Eruca species. The seeds contain 30-35% oil.
Status: It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.
Growing Rocket
Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Seeds germinate in about 1 day at 25°C. Plants need to be cross-pollinated by insects to produce seed.
Edible Uses: The young leaves are used as a salad vegetable. They are tender, bitter and slightly mustard flavoured. Older leaves can be pureed and used in soups and sauces. The seeds are also eaten. They are used in pickles. They are used for Persian mustard. The seeds yield an edible oil. The flowers are used as a garnish. The seeds can be sprouted and eaten.
Production: It should be grown using high nitrogen levels to assist rapid growth and reduce the bitterness. Leaves are picked before flowering to give a more mild taste. Leaves can be harvested after about 3-4 weeks.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portionEdible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Leaves | 25 | 2.6 | 1.5 | 35 | 15 | 0.5 | 91.7 |
Seed | 484 | 17.8 | - | - | - | - | 6.3 |
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