London rocket

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• London Rocket
• London-rocket

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Erysimum irio
• Hesperis subulata
• Hesperis iriodes
• Sisymbrium irio var. xerophilum
• Sisymbrium irio var. dasycarpum
• Sisymbrium latifolium
• Descurainia irio
• Sisymbrium filiforme
• Crucifera irio
• Sisymbrium irio var. turolense
• Norta irio
• Sisymbrium irio var. irioides
• Sisymbrium irio f. gracilior
• Sisymbrium irio var. xerophila
• Irio ruderalis
• Hesperis maxima
• Arabis charbonnelii
• Sisymbrium erysimastrum
• Sisymbrium subulatum
• Sisymbrium irioides
• Sisymbrium glabrum
• Phryne laxata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified in the order Brassicales and the family Brassicaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Sisymbrium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is documented within the territories of Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward the center of the continent, it can be found throughout Middle Europe. Specifically, its range extends through countries such as Austria and Belgium. Furthermore, the distribution continues through the central regions of Czechia and Slovakia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Sisymbrium irio is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, allowing it to inhabit diverse environmental gradients. It is primarily found in lowland habitats, yet it demonstrates significant adaptability across varying terrains. The species occupies an extensive elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum altitude of 3500 m AMSL. This wide vertical distribution results in a mean elevation of approximately 1903.33 m AMSL, indicating that while it is prevalent in lower-lying areas, it is also capable of thriving in high-altitude mountainous ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

3500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1903.33333333333 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Lowland

Genetics

The genetics of Sisymbrium irio are characterized by significant chromosomal variation and complex polyploid series, which play a crucial role in the plant's evolutionary adaptability. The species exhibits a diverse range of chromosome numbers, specifically documented as 14, 21, 28, 42, and 56. This numerical distribution indicates a history of polyploidization events, where the doubling or tripling of the basic chromosome set allows for increased genetic complexity. Such genomic plasticity is often associated with the plant's ability to thrive in varying ecological niches and may contribute to its robust physiological traits.

Chromosome number :

14, 21, 28, 42, 56

Life history

The life history of Sisymbrium irio is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning it completes its entire biological process of germination, growth, flowering, and seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, the plant survives the unfavorable periods by producing seeds that remain dormant in the soil until conditions become suitable for the next generation. Furthermore, it exhibits an evergreen deciduousness trait, maintaining its vegetative state throughout its active life cycle before the completion of its seasonal turn.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Sisymbrium irio is characterized by a growth form classified as both a herb and a forb, exhibiting a non-woody structure. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as a climber or a liana, nor does it exhibit parasitic behavior, remaining an independent organism. It is a terrestrial species, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a maximum height of 1 m, with a minimum height of 0.1 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 0.3125 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.3125 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Sisymbrium irio is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, relying on soil nutrients rather than the capture of insects. Its vegetative structure features a rosette leaf arrangement, with leaves that are morphologically defined as pinnatifid in form. These leaves vary in size according to their developmental stage or environmental conditions, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 6 cm to a maximum of 20 cm.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf arrangement :

rosette

Leaf form :

pinnatifid

Leaf length max:

20 cm

Leaf length min:

6 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Sisymbrium irio is characterized by a sexual reproductive cycle facilitated by biotic pollination, specifically utilizing insects to ensure fertilization. The plant produces small, yellow flowers that typically range in length from 0.3 cm to 0.4 cm. While the flowering period is variable, it is notably documented to begin around May and can extend through April. Self-fertilization is present within the species, and asexual reproduction is absent. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of a siliqua, which is a dehiscent type. These fruits vary in dimensions, with a mean length of approximately 3.025 cm (ranging from 2.5 cm to a maximum of 5 cm) and a consistent width of about 0.1 cm. The dispersal of the plant is achieved through an autochorous syndrome. The resulting seeds are quite small, with a maximum length of 0.8 mm and a mean mass of approximately 9.79165e-05 g, ranging from a minimum of 5e-05 g to a maximum of 2e-04 g.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flower colour :

yellow

Flower length max:

0.4 cm

Flower length min:

0.3 cm

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit length max:

5 cm

Fruit length mean:

3.025 cm

Fruit length min:

2.5 cm

Fruit type :

siliqua

Fruit width max:

0.1 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length max:

0.8 mm

Seed mass max:

2e-04 g

Seed mass mean:

9.79165e-05 g

Seed mass min:

5e-05 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Sisymbrium irio has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, seed.

Leaf

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Seed

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Activities

Sisymbrium irio has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antipyretic, Bronchodilator.

Antipyretic

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Bronchodilator

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Sisymbrium irio has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include asthma, cough, measles, shortness of breath, sore throat.

Asthma

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Cough

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Measles

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Shortness of breath

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Sore throat

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Preparations

Sisymbrium irio has 1 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extract.

Extract

1. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society