Family: Brassicaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Linnaeus, C. (1753). Species plantarum, exhibentes plantas rite cognitas ad genera relatas cum differentiis specificis, nominibus trivialibus, synonymis selectis, locis natalibus, secundum systema sexuale digestas. Stockholm.
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Crambe
Vegetable: True
Observations: Europe to Caucasus
Description
Sea-kale, scientifically known as Crambe maritima, is a perennial plant belonging to the Brassicaceae family. The plant is native to coastal regions ranging from Europe to the Caucasus. It is well-adapted to the unique conditions of its native habitats, thriving in sandy and rocky shorelines.
Sea-kale is notable for its striking appearance and robust growth. It features large, bluish-green leaves that can reach up to 60 cm in length. These leaves are thick and fleshy, a characteristic which helps the plant retain moisture and withstand the harsh conditions of its natural coastal environment. In late spring to early summer, sea-kale produces clusters of small, fragrant white flowers that attract a variety of pollinators. These flowers are followed by round, green seed pods.
Historically, sea-kale has been recognized for its edible qualities. The young shoots can be blanched and eaten as a vegetable, similar to asparagus, and are prized for their tender texture and mild, nutty flavor. It has even been cultivated in some gardens for this purpose. The leaves and roots also hold nutritional value and have been used in traditional cuisine.
Sea-kale, like many coastal plants, plays an important ecological role. It helps to stabilize sand dunes and protect against coastal erosion with its extensive root system. Moreover, it provides a habitat and food source for various wildlife species. Due to its resilience and ornamental appearance, Crambe maritima is sometimes cultivated in gardens as a hardy, decorative plant.
The scientific documentation and classification of sea-kale can be traced back to Carl Linnaeus, a prominent botanist. In his seminal work “Species Plantarum,” first published in 1753, Linnaeus provided a comprehensive description of the plant along with its specific characteristics and native habitat, thus formally introducing Crambe maritima to the scientific community.
In conclusion, Crambe maritima, or sea-kale, is a fascinating plant with both ecological significance and culinary value. Its ability to thrive in challenging coastal environments and its historical use as an edible plant underscore its unique place in both the natural world and human history.
Common Names
Deu: küsten-meerkohl, meerkohl, strandkohl, weisser meerkohl
Eng: sea kale, sea-kale, seakale
Dan: strandkål
Fra: chou marin, chou-marin
Spa: col marina
Por: couve-marinha
Fin: euroopanmerikaali
Swe: euroopanmerikaali, strandkål
Lav: jurmalas krambe
Ces: katrán přímořský
Nob: strandkål
Nno: strandkål
Nld: zeekool
Cym: bresych arfor, bresych y môr, môr fresych, ysgedd, ysgedd arfor
Gla: càl na mara, praiseach thrá, praiseach-tràgha
Tur: deniz lahanasi
Ukr: катран морський
Kat: ზღვის კიტრანა
En: Sea-kale, Sea kale, Seakale, Sea Cabbage
Ar: كرنب بحري
Hy: Ծովակաղամբ
Bg: Крайморско диво зеле
Ca: Coleta
Zh: 海甘蓝
Kw: Morgowl
Cs: Katrán přímořský
Da: Strandkål
Nl: Zeekool
Eo: Mara krambo
Et: Merikapsas
Fi: Euroopanmerikaali, Merikaali
Fr: Chou-marin, Chou marin, Crambe maritime
Ka: Ზღვის კიტრანა, Ზღვის კომბოსტო
De: Küsten-Meerkohl, Strandkohl, Meerkohl, Echter Meerkohl, Weisser Meerkohl
Hu: Tengerparti tátorján
Ga: Praiseach thrá
It: Crambio marittima, Crambio marittimo
Lv: Jurmalas krambe
Gv: Caayl ny marrey
No: Strandkål
Nb: Strandkål
Nn: Strandkål
Fa: کرنب بری
Pl: Modrak morski
Pt: Couve-marinha
Pt-br: Crambe-marinha
Ru: Katran Primorskoi, Катран приморский
Gd: Praiseach thrá, Càl na mara, Praiseach-tràgha
Es: Col marina
Sv: Strandkål, Euroopanmerikaali
Zh-tw: 海甘藍
Tr: Deniz lahanasi
Uk: Катран морський
Cy: Ysgedd arfor, Bresych Arfor, Bresych y Môr, Môr Fresych, Ysgedd
Synonyms
- Crambe suecia (Mill.)
- Crucifera maritima ((L.) E.H.L.Krause)
- Crambe gigantea (Kit. ex Janka)
- Crambe maritima var. occidentalis (Alef.)
- Cochlearia maritima ((L.) Crantz)
- Crambe pontica (Steven ex Rupr.)
Distribution
- Baltic States (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Denmark (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Krym (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Norway (native)
- Romania (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Czechoslovakia (introduced)
- Oregon (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Sarah Dechamps (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 3, 2021 by von Waldthausen Clara (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 22, 2021 by Mewen M (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 22, 2021 by Mewen M (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 22, 2021 by Mewen M (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken May 4, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 27, 2022 by Lucas Filleur (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 13, 2019 by jonawel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 22, 2021 by Mewen M (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 10, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Michel GAUBERT (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jun 25, 2021 by Christa (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 13, 2020 by Guillermo Bueno (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 27, 2022 by Lucas Filleur (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 4, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 10, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Michel GAUBERT (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jun 19, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 28, 2022 by Zemanová Veronika (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 16, 2021 by Jeff B (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 18, 2022 by Easger (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 18, 2022 by Easger (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Aug 13, 2020 by Ewa Lange (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 16, 2021 by Jeff B (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 7, 2019 by See José See (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 16, 2021 by HV Alonso (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Aug 15, 2002 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jun 3, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Michel GAUBERT (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)
Taken May 19, 2021 by JezzaG (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 10, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Michel GAUBERT (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:281657-1)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5373533)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Crambe maritima L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.5
Ph minimum: 7.0
Light: 8
Atmospheric humidity: 3
Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’]
Soil nutriments: 7
Soil salinity: 5