Sea Rocket - Succulent
The Sea rocket is a succulent - a low growing plant commonly found in sandy areas and near the ocean. It is an annual plant. The sea rocket isn't often seen inland but can be found on almost every stretch of coast in the British Isles and here in The Western Isles
Nectar for The Bees
The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, flies, beetles, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies).
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Flowers
The lovely wildflowers are either white or pale pink and are in typical crucifer arrangement with flower-spike lengthening in fruit. It is in flower from June to August with the seeds ripening a little after that. The flowers are up to quarter of an inch across.
Tap Root
Sea rocket has a long taproot that holds it in place. The root then branches into a network that stabilizes the sand. The sea rocket has thick fleshy leaves to help it retain moisture.
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Habitat
This plant prefers light sandy soils. It has adapted to tolerate salt spray and its low growing form makes it less of a target for abrasive, blowing sand.
Buried in the Sand
Sea rocket is sometimes buried by sand; when that happens it responds by growing more and having more seeds
.Here in the Western isles - on both the Isle of Lewis and the Isle of Harris these Scottish Wildflowers are a delight to find in the sand - treasure indeed.
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Seeds
The seeds are contained in a long, rough pod and are released from the pods and moved by wind and water
Pods Divide
The sea rocket wildflower pods divided into two cells, the upper cell bring the biggest - each cell has a seed in it. . The upper breaks off whole, but the lower remains on the plant till the seed is shed. The seeds are dispersed by sea-water.
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Edible Uses
The leaves, stems, flower buds and immature seedpods - may be used either raw or cooked and are all rich in vitamin C. They have though a bitter taste and are used mainly as a flavouring. The root has been used in bread making.
Salads
Very young leaves can be added to salads whilst older leaves can be used as a herb |
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