The taxonomy of the genus Eruca is very confused with different treatments varying in the names and numbers of accepted species. We are following the treatment of Lemmel C. & Attioui Z. in Eruca aurea Batt., The Saharan Rocket. How to put an end to the confusions within the genus Eruca?[] which sees the cultivated salad plant (Argula or Rocket) treated as the distinct species Eruca sativa, with five other species recognized[].

Common Name:

General Information

Eruca aurea is an annual plant, producing a basal rosette of leaves followed by one or more, much-branched flowering stems; it can grow up to 80cm tall.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. Closely related to the cultivated rocket (Eruca sativa), this species has very similar properties and can be used in much the same ways as a food, medicine and source of oil.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Western N. Africa - Algeria, Morocco, Western Sahara

Habitat

Sandy soils in open areas, often growing in wadis[]..

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Eruca aurea grows primarily in the desert or dry shrubland biome.
Eruca species generally succeed in full sun, but prefer some shade from the hottest sun[]. A very easily grown and fast-maturing plant, it succeeds in most well-drained soils and conditions, though it prefers sandy and sandy loam soils[, ]. The plant grows best and is more productive in a moist, but not wet soil - once established, it is quite drought resistant[, ].
Plants usually self-sow freely if the ground is disturbed in some way, such as by hoeing[].
This species is normally untroubled by pests or diseases[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[]. Used to make a sauce[].

This species is closely related to the cultivated rocket (Eruca sativa) and can be used similarly. These uses include:-

Young leaves - raw or cooked[, , , , ]. A distinct strongly spicy flavour[], the taste is best from fast, well-grown plants[]. A few leaves added to a salad are acceptable though the flavour is too strong for many tastes[].

Flowers - raw[52}. A similar taste to the leaves, they make a nice garnish on the salad bowl[].

The seed yields a semi-drying oil[, , ]. Its use as a salad or cooking oil is limited because of its initial acridity; this acridity disappears after storing the oil for 6 months, it is then suitable for edible purposes[, , ]

A mustard is obtained from the seed[, , ]. The strong flavour comes from an essential oil that is contained within the oil of the seed[].

Medicinal

This species is closely related to the cultivated rocket (Eruca sativa) and can be used similarly. These uses include:-

The leaves are antiscorbutic, diuretic, rubefacient, stimulant and stomachic[, , ].

Eruca contains the glucosinolate methylsulphinylbutyl isothiocyanate which induces enzymes which have anticancer activity[].

The seed is rubefacient and stimulant[, ]. The powdered seed possesses antibacterial activity, but no alkaloids have been isolated[].

The oil from the seed is said to have aphrodisiac properties[, ]. The oil can be used for massage and for soothing the skin[].

Other Uses

This species is closely related to the cultivated rocket (Eruca sativa) and can be used similarly. These uses include:-

The seed yields a semi-drying oil which is a substitute for rapeseed oil[]. It is rich in erucic acid[]. It produces very little soot when it burns and so it can also be used for lighting[].

Propagation

Seed - sow late spring to mid summer in situ