Iberis amara
Rocket Candytuft
an annual member of the Iberis genus in the family Brassicaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Genus
- Iberis
- Life cycle
- annual
- Growth rate
- vigorous
- Height
- 0.3 m
- Spread
- 0.15 m
- Fertility
- Bees
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The seeds are sometimes used as a source of mustard[12][3][4]. Pungency of mustard develops when cold water is added to the ground-up seed - an enzyme (myrosin) acts on a glycoside (sinigrin) to produce a sulphur compound. The reaction takes 10 - 15 minutes. Mixing with hot water or vinegar, or adding salt, inhibits the enzyme and produces a mild bitter mustard[7].
- Product or use
- Condiment
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Little used in modern herbalism, rocket candytuft is a bitter-tasting tonic, aiding digestion and relieving wind and bloating[10]. It is traditionally taken to treat gout, rheumatism and arthritis[10]. All parts of the plant are antirheumatic and antiscorbutic[12]. The seeds are considered very useful in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis and dropsy[11][8]. The plant is gathered in the summer and can be dried for later use[10]. The seeds are harvested when fully ripe[10]. A common homeopathic remedy is made from the seeds[11].
- Product or use
- Antiasthmatic
- Product or use
- Antirheumatic
- Product or use
- Antiscorbutic
- Product or use
- Homeopathy
Environment
- Range
- Western and southern Europe, including Britain, to N. Africa.
- Habitat
- Dry calcareous soils on hillsides and in cornfields[2].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow spring in situ for summer flowering or late summer in situ for a spring flowering[6]. The seed germinates within 3 weeks.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Easily grown in a good, well-drained ordinary garden soil in a sunny position[1]. Prefers a calcareous soil but tolerates mildly acid soils[1]. Succeeds in poor soils[6] and on dry walls[1]. A very ornamental plant[1]. A fast growing plant[5], do not grow the plants too close together[1]. The flowers are sweetly scented[9].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202