Sea Rocket (C. edentula)
We have two Sea Rocket species here in SouthAustralia. They are American Sea Rocket (Cakile maritima) and Two-horned Sea Rocket (C. edentula). Both like to grow on our sandy beaches and often form mounds up to about 60 cm tall.
Both have a quite variable leaf shape but can be told apart by their seed pods (C. maritima has two little wings or horns at the base of its seed pods) and flowering times (C. maritima flowers all year, C. edentula only flowers in the warmer weather of Spring and Summer). The flowers are pink to purple and in the cross shape that are characteristic of its family, Cruciferae (meaning ‘cross shaped’), which includes cabbages.
The Sea Rockets are in the same family as Cress and share its mustardy bite. It is so strong it is used in restaurants as a substitute for Wasabi. Yes, it’s that hot!
The whole plant has this flavour, but generally it’s`the leaves that are used. Please be careful how much you use…It’s hot!