London Rocket

Sisymbrium irio

Physical Characteristics

Sisymbrium irio is a ANNUAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

Mediterranean. Long naturalized or possibly native in Britain[17].

Habitats

Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Seed Edible Uses: Drink Immature leaves - raw or cooked[177, 257]. Used as greens[257]. A famine food, it is only eaten when better foods are in short supply[257]. Seed - raw or cooked[257]. The seed can be eaten as piñole[257]. It can also be dried, ground into a powder then mixed with water and used as a gruel[257]. The seed can be mixed with water to make a drink[257]. Flowers - raw[177].

Medicinal Uses

Expectorant Ophthalmic Poultice Restorative Stimulant The seeds are expectorant, restorative and stimulant[240]. They are used in the treatment of asthma[240]. Externally, they are used as a stimulating poultice[240]. The seeds have been placed under the lids of sore eyes in order to cause weeping and thereby wash foreign matter out of the eye[257]. An infusion of the leaves is used in treating affections of the throat and chest[240].

Known Hazards

None known