Eruca sativa

A strongly flavored herb often used in salads, with a taste resembling cress. A native of the Mediterranean region, it is a half-hardy annual with long, green leaves and creamy-white flowers. It will thrive in moist soil and either sun or partial shade. Rocket can be grown from seed sown in autumn or spring. It is well worth growing as it is ready for harvesting within eight weeks. The leaves can be cooked like spinach.

In the language of herbs rocket means deceit, as it has a lovely perfume in the evening but during the day is unscented. It is also known by the names Dames´s Violet, Dames´s Rocket and Vesper Flower (due to its evening scent).

Rocket leaves should be gathered before the plant is in flower.

"Excellent herbs had our fathers of old Excellent herbs to ease their pain"
Rudyard Kipling