Diplotaxis tenuifolia
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Sisymbrium tenuifolium
- Phonetic Spelling
- di-ploh-TAK-siss te-new-i-FOH-lee-ah
- Description
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Wild arugula is a heat-tolerant alternative to arugula. It is native to the Mediterranean region and is a member of the mustard family (Brassicaceae). It has escaped from cultivation and is found occasionally in disturbed areas in North America, but there are no records of this plant naturalizing in North Carolina. The species epithet means "narrow leaf," which is an apt description.
This plant can grow in full sun or dappled shade. It prefers well-drained sandy soils but is not picky about soil type or pH and tolerates poor soils. The leaves are produced from spring to fall and can be harvested at any time. Seeds can be sown after the last frost. Protection from frost or intense summer heat is helpful. Although the plant is perennial, it can be grown as an annual.
The yellow flowers appear in late summer and are also edible as are all parts of the plant. The green leaves have a strong peppery flavor and can be used in a mixed salad or lightly cooked.
Use this plant in an edible garden or naturalized area.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Diplotaxis
- Species:
- tenuifolia
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Has medicinal value
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe, western Asia and northern Africa
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract pollinators
- Edibility:
- Can be used both raw and cooked
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Creeping
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The capsule splits into 2 halves when mature
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- The yellow flowers will appear singly, in a spiral around the stem or in ranks. They have 4 petals, the style is knob-like at the tip and the anthers have narrow slits. The flowers attract syrphid flies (hoverflies), which are important pollinators.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- The narrow green leaves have a wedge-shaped base and narrow tip. They are alternate on the stem with lobed margins and the undersides may have hairs.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Smooth green stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Heat
- Poor Soil
