Rocket (Wild Arugula)
Rocket, sometimes called London Rocket or Wild Arugula (Sisymbrium irio), is one of several members of the Brassica family (a group of plants containing cabbages, broccoli, and mustards) growing in our region. It is non-native, and now thrives along roads, trails, in empty lots, and waste places. It is extremely hardy, begins growing in the cool winter months, and blossoms in early spring. The entire plant is edible, and has also been used for its medicinal qualities.
Identification
Rocket is an annual herb often exceeding three feet in height with slender stems. The flowers are small with four pale yellow petals. The leaves at the base are wide and lobed, while the upper leaves are linear and up to four inches long. The seedpod is long, narrow, and remains green when ripe.
Uses
As food, every part of Rocket may be consumed, but it’s the leaves and flowers that most will want to eat. The seeds may be harvested and used as a mustard replacement.
In the Middle East, London rocket is used to treat cough, asthma, and chest congestion, to relieve arthritis, to detoxify the liver, and to reduce swelling and clean wounds.
Recipe/Remedy
Use the leaves in place of arugula in salads, on sandwiches, etc. Use the flowers as a garnish on chili, soup, or stews. The plant has quite a “bite”, with the “burn” of the mustard family being very predominant, so use sparingly if you have a tender tongue for spicy foods.
The leaves may be steeped in hot water and the tea consumed to relieve the symptoms of cough, asthma, and chest congestion.
Disclaimer
Don't eat plants you're not sure you can identify, you might pick a poisonous lookalike and end up ill, or worse. If you would like to learn to identify local plants, and how to use them, check my events page for an upcoming medicinal/edible herb hike.
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisymbrium_irio
http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=7628
Lev, Efraima (2003) "Sisymbrium irio" Medicinal substances in Jerusalem from early times to the present day Archaeopress, Oxford, UK, p. 62, ISBN 978-1-84171-490-5
http://dinafisher.net/wild_edible_plants_in_southern_california.html#londonRocket
Rocket is an annual herb often exceeding three feet in height with slender stems. The flowers are small with four pale yellow petals. The leaves at the base are wide and lobed, while the upper leaves are linear and up to four inches long. The seedpod is long, narrow, and remains green when ripe.
Uses
As food, every part of Rocket may be consumed, but it’s the leaves and flowers that most will want to eat. The seeds may be harvested and used as a mustard replacement.
In the Middle East, London rocket is used to treat cough, asthma, and chest congestion, to relieve arthritis, to detoxify the liver, and to reduce swelling and clean wounds.
Recipe/Remedy
Use the leaves in place of arugula in salads, on sandwiches, etc. Use the flowers as a garnish on chili, soup, or stews. The plant has quite a “bite”, with the “burn” of the mustard family being very predominant, so use sparingly if you have a tender tongue for spicy foods.
The leaves may be steeped in hot water and the tea consumed to relieve the symptoms of cough, asthma, and chest congestion.
Disclaimer
Don't eat plants you're not sure you can identify, you might pick a poisonous lookalike and end up ill, or worse. If you would like to learn to identify local plants, and how to use them, check my events page for an upcoming medicinal/edible herb hike.
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisymbrium_irio
http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=7628
Lev, Efraima (2003) "Sisymbrium irio" Medicinal substances in Jerusalem from early times to the present day Archaeopress, Oxford, UK, p. 62, ISBN 978-1-84171-490-5
http://dinafisher.net/wild_edible_plants_in_southern_california.html#londonRocket
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