Perennial Wall Rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia)

Family: Brassicaceae or Cruciferae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Diplotaxis tenuifolia is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from May to September, and the seeds ripen from June to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

flavoured of cress. — Used in salads, they are very strongly flavoured of cress.; 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.; The plant is very productive, producing leaves from early spring until the autumn.

Habitat & North American Range

Old walls and waste places in S. England, a casual further north. This plant is doubtfully native in Britain. (Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)