WILD ROCKET (COLORCHALLENGE YELLOW WEDNESDAY)

Wild Rocket, scientific name Diplotaxis Tenuifolia, is a herbaceous plant that comes from the Mediterranean and Eastern Asia regions. It is also called Wall Rocket, because if you visit places like France or Italy you will see it growing wild on cliff faces, well drained walls or even cracks in the pavement.

Wild Rocket is fantastic to grow for salads, because it grows all the way from early Spring, until late Autumn. It is also a delicious addition to pizza toppings, stir-fries and even soups. There are two types of Rocket, Wild Rocket, and cultivated Rocket, the great thing about Wild Rocket is that it seems to keep growing long after the cultivated kind has flowered and seeded.

It has dark green leaves that are thin and serrated in appearance. The leaves have a slightly hot, peppery taste, which is delicious. The flower is a small very pretty, bright yellow flower, that matures into tiny, thin seed pods. The flowers are also edible. Because it self-seeds you will find it pops up everywhere, which isn't a bad thing because even if you're not a fan of rocket, the flowers are a very pretty addition to a garden. This flower will also attract beneficial insects.

Wild Rocket will also benefit your health, its high in vitamin C and potassium among other nutrients, is a digestive aid, blood cleanser, and diuretic.

Photos and content by white.tiger