Turkish rocket (Bunias orientalis, Sp. Pl.: 670 (1753))

Family: Brassicaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 670 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Bunias

Vegetable: False

Observations: EC. Europe to NE. China

Description

Turkish Rocket (Bunias orientalis)

The Turkish rocket, scientifically known as Bunias orientalis, is a perennial herb belonging to the Brassicaceae family. Recognized for its robust growth and resilience, this plant has its origins spanning from Eastern Central Europe to Northeastern China, making it well-suited to a variety of climates and soil conditions.

Description and Characteristics

Bunias orientalis is notable for its erect, branching stems that can grow to considerable heights, often reaching above a meter. The leaves are deeply lobed and serrated, offering a unique textural contrast to the surrounding flora. During the blooming season, the Turkish rocket produces clusters of small, bright yellow flowers, which are not only visually appealing but also attract a variety of pollinators.

Ecological and Horticultural Value

This versatile plant is valued both for its ecological benefits and its potential uses in horticulture. It thrives in diverse environmental conditions, from fields and roadsides to garden landscapes, making it a suitable choice for those looking to cultivate a hardy and decorative perennial.

Historical and Botanical Context

First described in the seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus (“L.”), Bunias orientalis has since garnered attention for its widespread adaptability and ease of growth. Its historical and descriptive documentation by Linnaeus highlights its longstanding recognition within the botanical community.

Uses and Applications

Turkish rocket is not only admired for its ornamental qualities but is also known for its edible leaves and shoots, which can be consumed similarly to other leafy greens. This makes it a dual-purpose plant, offering both aesthetic and culinary benefits. Additionally, its robust root system helps in soil stabilization, thereby contributing to environmental management efforts.

Cultivation Tips

To cultivate Turkish rocket successfully, it is important to provide well-drained soil and a position in full sun to partial shade. It requires minimal maintenance once established, proving to be resistant to common pests and diseases that often plague other garden plants.

In summary, Bunias orientalis or Turkish rocket is an exemplary plant that combines visual appeal, ecological resilience, and practical uses, making it a cherished addition to gardens and natural landscapes alike. Its ability to adapt and thrive in a range of conditions underscores its enduring popularity and utility in botanical and horticultural circles.

Common Names

Fra: bunias d´órient, roquette d’orient, bunias d’orient, bunias dorient
Ita: cascellore orientale
Deu: glattes zackenschötchen, orient-zackenschote, orientalisches zackenschötchen, oestliches zackenschoetchen, östliches zackenschötchen
Nld: grote hardvrucht
Dan: italiensk arum, orientalsk takkeklap, salflor, smal amarant, takkeklap
Swe: italiensk munkhätta, ringkrage, safflor, smalamarant, ryssgubbe
Pol: rukiewnik wschodni
Lit: rytinė engra
Eng: turkish rocket, turkish wartycabbage, warty-cabbage, hill mustard, warty cabbage, turkish warty cabbage, false turnip
Lav: austrumu dižpērkone
Est: naeris
Ces: roripovník východný, rukevník východní
Sme: ruoššabađvi
Cym: bresych dafadennog, bresychen ddafadennog
En: Turkish rocket, Hill mustard, Warty-cabbage, Turkish wartycabbage, Warty cabbage, Turkish warty cabbage, False turnip, Turkish warty-cabbage
Be: Свербігуз усходні
Bg: Източна свърбига
Zh: 疣果匙荠
Hr: Orijentalni repušac
Cs: Rukevník východní, Roripovník východný
Da: Orientalsk Takkeklap, Italiensk arum, Salflor, Smal amarant, Takkeklap
Nl: Grote hardvrucht
Et: Harilik tõlkjas, Naeris
Fi: Idänukonpalko, Ukonpalko
Fr: Bunias d’Orient, Bunias de l’Orient, Bunias dorient, Bunias d´Órient, Roquette d’Orient
De: Orientalisches Zackenschötchen, Glattes Zackenschötchen, Morgenländisches Zackenschötchen, Orientalische Zackenschote, Türkische Rauke, Orient-Zackenschote, Oestliches Zackenschoetchen, Östliches Zackenschötchen, Hohe Zackenschote
It: Cascellore orientale
Kk: Шығыс майракебісі
Lv: Austrumu dižpērkone
Lt: Engra, Rytinė engra
Se: Ruoššabađvi
No: Russekål
Pl: Rukiewnik wschodni
Ru: Свербига восточная
Sk: Roripovník východný
Es: Bunia oriental
Sv: Ryssgubbe, Italiensk munkhätta, Ringkrage, Safflor, Smalamarant
Zh-tw: 疣果匙薺
Tr: Çırşalgamı
Uk: Свербига звичайна
Cy: Bresychen ddafadennog, Bresych Dafadennog

Synonyms

• Bunias perennis (Sm.)
• Bunias orientalis var. winterli ((Schult.) DC.)
• Rapistrum glandulosum (Bergeret)
• Laelia orientalis ((L.) Desv.)
• Bunias winterli (Schult.)
• Laelia podocarpa (C.A.Mey. ex Rupr.)
• Myagrum taraxacifolium (Lam.)
• Crucifera laelia (E.H.L.Krause)

Distribution

• Altay (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Austria (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Belarus (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Kamchatka (introduced)
• Kirgizstan (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North European Russi (introduced)
• Northwest European R (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Sakhalin (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Jun 3, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2021 by Fuves Ember (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 21, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 25, 2022 by Marcel B (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2021 by Дмитрий Французов (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2020 by Jiri Vackar (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Oct 21, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 21, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2021 by Marion Lebert (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2021 by Marion Lebert (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 3, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 23, 2019 by dessae vana (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 19, 2020 by Alyona Appel (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 19, 2020 by Richard Raccard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2022 by Pl@ntNet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 1997 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2021 by Jamie Veganarchist (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 1997 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (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)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3050364)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:279703-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Bunias orientalis L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 3

Soil nutriments: 6