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Crambe maritima

AuthorityL.
FamilyMagnoliopsida:Dilleniidae:Capparales:Cruciferae
Synonyms
Common namessea kale
Editor
Ecocrop code4926



Notes
BRIEF DESCRIPTION: It is a hardy perennial whose shoots are similar to asparagus in the way they grow from the roots. However, the leafy top does not resemble asparagus. The plant grows to 60 cm, with large, heavy, glossy green leaves that are fringed or curled on the edges. The edible, young, tender, whitened shoots arise from the roots each spring. USE: Its name comes from its use on long sea voyages. The Romans stored it in pickled form aboard ship and fed it to the crews to prevent scurvy. In fresh form, it is cooked and used like asparagus. Both the young shoots and very small leaves are eaten. GROWING PERIOD: Perennial herb growing for 3 years. (GMIN and GMAX estimated by the compiler). COMMON NAMES: Seakale, sea-colewort, scurvy grass, and halmyrides. FURTHER INF: The distribution of seakale is most extensive on the Black Sea, Northern Mediterranean, Baltic shores, the West European seaboard, and the British Isles.
Sources
SOURCES
Weiss E 1983 pp 463 [TEMP, RAIN]
Roecklein J 1987 pp 501 [USE, TEXT, FER, DRA]
Duke J 1975 pp 13 [RAIN, TEMP, PH]