Sea Rocket

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• European sea-rocket
• Sea Rocket
• two-head sea rocket
• European Searocket

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Rapistrum maritimum
• Rapistrum cakile
• Crucifera cakile
• Bunias cakile

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further organized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Brassicales, falling within the family Brassicaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Cakile.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Cakile maritima, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several Northern European regions. It can be found growing along the coastal areas of Denmark and Finland. Furthermore, its presence extends to the shores of Great Britain and Ireland. The species also inhabits the maritime environments of Norway. Collectively, these locations highlight the plant's preference for the northern coastal reaches of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cakile maritima is defined by its specialized adaptation to coastal environments, primarily occurring within halophytic vegetation zones. It thrives in saline conditions where it serves as a key component of seaside plant communities. This species occupies a specific altitudinal niche, ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 500 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

halophytic vegetation

Life history

The life history of Cakile maritima is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, its survival strategy relies on completing its life cycle rapidly and persisting through unfavorable conditions in the form of resistant seeds. This plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as it reaches the end of its seasonal cycle. Morphologically, its classification as a therophyte ensures that the vegetative structure dies back completely at the end of the year, leaving only the seeds to await the next favorable period for regrowth.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Cakile maritima is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. As a self-supporting plant, it does not exhibit climbing or liana-like tendencies, instead maintaining an upright or spreading habit. It is a terrestrial species, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a mean height of 0.204 m, though its size can vary significantly, with individual specimens ranging from a minimum height of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.6 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Plant height mean:

0.204 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cakile maritima is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway and a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, functioning without the ability to fix nitrogen. The plant exhibits distinct succulence, an adaptive trait likely used for managing osmotic stress in its environment. Its leaf morphology is notably lobed, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 8 cm. The leaf width varies between 1 cm and 4 cm, resulting in a mean leaf width of 1.5 cm and a mean leaf size of approximately 8.8575 cm². Furthermore, the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 168.37 cm²/g, reflecting its structural investment in leaf tissue relative to its biomass.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

lobed

Leaf length max:

8 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf size mean:

8.8575 cm²

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width mean:

1.5 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

168.37 cm²/g

Succulence :

yes

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cakile maritima is characterized by a sexual process, as asexual reproduction is absent. The flowering period typically begins in February and concludes in June. The plant produces pink flowers that vary in length from a minimum of 0.4 cm to a maximum of 1 cm. The pollination syndrome is biotic, specifically utilizing insects, with bees serving as a key pollinator. Self-fertilization is present within the species, ensuring reproductive success. Following pollination, the plant develops a capsule-type fruit that is dehiscent. These fruits vary in size, with a mean length of 1.5 cm (ranging from 1 cm to 2.2 cm) and a mean width of 0.5 cm (ranging from 0.4 cm to 0.6 cm). The seeds produced have a mean mass of approximately 0.0233 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.0042 g to a maximum of 0.03266 g. Finally, the dispersal syndrome is hydrochorous, meaning the seeds are primarily dispersed by water.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Flower colour :

pink

Flower length max:

1 cm

Flower length min:

0.4 cm

Flowering time :

Feb

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit length max:

2.2 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.5 cm

Fruit length min:

1 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width max:

0.6 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.5 cm

Fruit width min:

0.4 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.03266 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0233238786666667 g

Seed mass min:

0.0042 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cakile maritima has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ANTHOCYANIN, CALCIUM, CHL, Carotenoid, Dianhydromannitol.

ANTHOCYANIN

1. Physiologia plantarum

CALCIUM

1. Physiologia plantarum

CHL

1. Physiologia plantarum

Carotenoid

1. Physiologia plantarum

Dianhydromannitol

1. Scientific reports

Gallic acid

1. Scientific reports

POTASSIUM

1. Physiologia plantarum

PYRIDINE

1. Scientific reports

RUTIN

1. Scientific reports

pyrogallol

1. Scientific reports

Activities

Cakile maritima has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Immunological investigations

Medicinal Uses

Cakile maritima has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include colon adenocarcinomas.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations