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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Bunias orientalis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Stem
Edible Uses:

Leaves and young stems - raw or cooked[17, 61, 105, 177, 183]. The young leaves have a mild cabbage flavour that goes very well in a mixed salad, though some people find them indigestible[K]. The leaves are a bit hairy so we find them less than wonderful when eaten raw on their own[K]. The cooked leaves make an excellent vegetable[K]. The leaves are available early in the year, usually towards the end of winter, and the plant will continue to produce leaves until late autumn, with a bit of a gap when the plant is in flower[27, K]. Flower buds and flowering stems - raw or cooked[264]. A pleasant mild flavour with a delicate sweetness and cabbage-like flavour, they make an excellent broccoli substitute though they are rather smaller[K].

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.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Food Forest

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in any soil in a sunny position[1, 200]. Plants have also been seen growing exceedingly well in the dappled shade of a woodland garden[K]. Plants are quite tolerant of neglect, growing well amongst long grass on our Cornish trial ground[K]. The young spring growth can be quite badly damaged by slugs, though more mature plants grow away so quickly that this does not seem to be a problem[K]. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow April in a cold frame. Germination is usually very quick and good. Prick out the seedlings into pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer. The seed can also be sown in situ in the spring, though the seedlings are rather prone to slug damage[K]. Division in spring. Quick and easy. Root cuttings 2 - 5cm in length succeed at any time during the growing season, though early spring as the plant comes into growth is best[K]. If the top 7 - 10cm of the plant is removed to supply root cuttings and divisions, the roots remaining in the soil usually regrow very quickly[K].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Ciscaucasia, Georgia, Iraq (north), Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia, Russian Federation-Western Siberia, Turkey, Western Siberia (southwest),Iran (northwest). EUROPE: Hungary, Russian Federation-European part, European part (south), Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Bulgaria (east), Romania, Serbia (northeast),

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
Bunias erucago	Corn Rocket, Crested wartycabbage	Annual/Biennial	0.6	6-9		LMH	N	M	3	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.

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Botanical References

50200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment


Klaus Dichtel	Sat Sep 4 13:50:06 2004

Hi, just come back from the pfaf-garden in Cornwall. I ate quite a lot turkish rocket. Ken writes above:"The young leaves have a mild cabbage flavour that goes very well in a mixed salad, though some people find them indigestible[K]" - well, at first they are HOT. That differs from plant to plant but some are so hot that a 5cmÂ²-part of a leaf is enough to give a mustardlike, hot flavour to the whole meal. When the leaf is cooked, the sharpness is gone.

Bunias orientalis - L.