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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Cakile maritima is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, beetles, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies).
Suitable for: light (sandy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

C. edentula. non Hook. Bunias cakile.

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Oil Root Seedpod Stem
Edible Uses: Condiment Oil

Leaves, stems, flower buds and immature seedpods - raw or cooked. They are rich in vitamin C but have a very bitter taste[4, 66]. Used mainly as a flavouring[132]. Very young leaves can be added to salads whilst older leaves can be mixed with milder tasting leaves and used as a potherb[183, K]. Root - dried and ground into a powder, then mixed with cereal flours and used to make bread[2]. A famine food, it is only used in times of scarcity[183]. The seed contains a fatty oil[74]. No more details are given.

References More on Edible Uses

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.
Vitamin C

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Oil

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a light well-drained soil and a sunny position[1, 200]. Plants are easily grown in a garden situation and can self-sow if the ground is disturbed by hoeing etc[K]. This species is closely related to C. edentula, which is native to N. America[17]. The seed is often dispersed by floating in sea water[17].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow late spring or early autumn in situ. Germination is usually rapid.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Iran, Israel (west), Syria, Turkey, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Georgia EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom, Iceland, Norway, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Russian Federation (European part), Estonia, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, Italy, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France, Portugal AFRICA: Spain (Canarias), Portugal (Madeira Islands), Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Cakile edentula	Sea Rocket, American searocket, Harper's searocket	Annual	0.6	5-9		L	N	DM	2	0

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Cakile maritima - Scop.