Cakile edentula

Cakile edentula, the American searocket, is a species of the flowering Cakile plant. This plant is native to North America.

Cakile edentula
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Brassicales
Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Cakile
Species:
C. edentula
Binomial name
Cakile edentula
(Bigelow) Hook.

Distribution

Cakile edentula is most commonly found on the beaches and dunes of North America. More commonly, it is found on the East coast of the United States. American sea-rocket is most likely to be found in areas along the coastline. This plant is not a wetland plant, but can occasionally be found in wetland environments. It is also a non-native, invasive species in other parts of the world, especially Japan and Australia.[1]

Habitat and ecology

Cakile edentula grows on the dunes of coastal beaches, as well as shorelines of freshwater lakes. Well drained, sandy soil is preferred. It is likely to be found in areas midway up beaches, out of the range of waves and tides, which can destroy individuals, especially through storm events. Cakile edentula has the life cycle of an annual plant in Northern latitudes. In warmer climates, it survives as a biennial if possible.[2] Cakile edentula grows roots more aggressively and intensively if a nearby competitor is sensed. The plant does not react this way if the nearby competitor is kin.[3]

Description

Individuals of this species are succulent plants with thick, edible leaves. This plant grows as a short shrub on beaches. Leaves, one per node, alternately grow on the stem. These leaves have various teeth and lobe patterns.

Flowers and fruit
C. edentula flowers close-up.

Flowers are separate, radially symmetrical, and contain four petals. These flowers can be pink to red, blue to purple, or white. Fruit are small and green, about 1-2 centimeters in diameter. These fruit are dry and do not split open when ripe. Fruit are released at the end of each growing season.

References
  1. GoBotany National Science Foundation |2013| Cakile edentula
  2. M. A. Maun, R. S. Boyd and Lynda Olson |1990| The Biological Flora of Coastal Dunes and Wetlands
  3. S. A. Dudley, A. L. File (2007). Kin recognition in an annual plant Archived 2014-05-04 at Archive.today
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