Watercress-leaf rocket (Erucastrum nasturtiifolium, Beibl. Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 119: 56 (1916))

Family: Brassicaceae

Author: (Poir.) O.E.Schulz

Bibliography: Beibl. Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 119: 56 (1916)

Year: 1916

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Erucastrum

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. & S. Europe

Description

Watercress-leaf rocket, known scientifically as Erucastrum nasturtiifolium, is a fascinating plant species belonging to the Brassicaceae family. First systematically described in the botanical world by the esteemed botanist O.E. Schulz in 1916, this species carries historical importance in botanical literature, as referenced in the Beiblätter zu den Botanischen Jahrbüchern Systematik (Supplement to the Botanical Yearbooks of Systematics), volume 119, page 56.

This herbaceous plant is originally found across Central and Southern Europe, making it a native of various European terrains. It thrives in these temperate regions and has adapted well to their climates. As its common name suggests, the watercress-leaf rocket is characterized by foliage that resembles that of watercress, providing a clue to its morphology and its potential identification in the wild.

Belonging to the Brassicaceae family, the plant shares familial traits with other well-known species such as mustards and cabbages. This family is known for its economic importance and diverse genera that contribute significantly to human diets, medicinal applications, and even ornamental gardening.

The watercress-leaf rocket is a subject of interest not only for botanists but also for plant enthusiasts who admire its unique leaf structure and resilience in various environments. Its presence in Europe also provides ecological insights and contributes to the rich biodiversity of the regions it inhabits.

Common Names

Deu: stumpfkantige hundsrauke
Eng: watercress-leaf rocket, watercress-leaved rocket
Swe: fränesenap
Hun: ártéri nyurgaszál
Ces: ředkevník poto
En: Watercress-leaf rocket, Watercress-leaved Rocket
Cs: Ředkevník poto
Fr: Fausse Roquette à feuilles de cresson
De: Stumpfkantige Hundsrauke, Brunnenkressenblättrige Rampe, Kressenblättrige Hundsrauke
Hu: Ártéri nyurgaszál
It: Erucastro comune
Es: Mostaza clara, Rabaniza
Sv: Fränesenap

Synonyms

• Erucastrum nasturtiifolium var. stenocarpum ((Boiss. & Reut.) Thell.)
• Erucastrum nasturtiifolium f. subbipinnatifidum ((Lag.) Thell.)
• Erucastrum nasturtiifolium var. subbipinnatifidum ((Lag.) O.E.Schulz)
• Sinapis nasturtiifolia (Poir.)
• Erucastrum obtusangulum var. subbipinnatifidum ((Lag.) Willk.)
• Hirschfeldia nasturtiifolia ((Poir.) Fritsch)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Italy (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Apr 30, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 19, 2021 by Françoise S (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 2, 2020 by remi vionnet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 3, 2019 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 3, 2019 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 15, 2021 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 5, 2022 by español Pilar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2022 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 9, 2021 by Francois Mansour (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 8, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2022 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2021 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (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.

Fruit

Taken May 13, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Catherine MAHYEUX (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 14, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 14, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 22, 2022 by Kilhiann Bagur (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 31, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Laurent PETIT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 29, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Pierre CROUZET (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5375555)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:283511-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Erucastrum nasturtiifolium (Poir.) O.E.Schulz)

Specifications

Growth

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]