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Perennial Wallrocket Diplotaxis tenuifolia

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Sisymbrium tenuifolium
Phonetic Spelling
di-ploh-TAK-siss te-new-i-FOH-lee-ah
Description

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:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#easy to grow#yellow flowers#edible flowers#low maintenance#dappled shade#herbaceous perennial#edible garden#edible leaves#annual herb#annual vegetable#warm season vegetable#perennial vegetables#easy edibles#poor soil tolerant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#easy to grow#yellow flowers#edible flowers#low maintenance#dappled shade#herbaceous perennial#edible garden#edible leaves#annual herb#annual vegetable#warm season vegetable#perennial vegetables#easy edibles#poor soil tolerant
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Creeping
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Smooth green stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Design Feature:
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Heat
    Poor Soil