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Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Cakile edentula (American searocket)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Cakile edentula (Bigelow) Hook.

American searocket

Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)

USDA Symbol: CAED

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Low, fleshy, branching beach plant with pale lavender flowers.

This annual, found on the ridge of wind-blown sand behind the high-tide line of beaches, gets its common name from the rocket-like shape of the seed pods. The succulent young stems and leaves have a pungent taste, somewhat like horseradish. Harpers Searocket (C. harperi), occurring from North Carolina to Florida, has much more angulate fruits. European Searocket (C. maritima), introduced from Europe and occurring along our northern beaches, has very deeply lobed leaves.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Flower:
Fruit:

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: AK , AL , CA , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OR , PA , RI , SC , VA , WA , WI
Canada: NB , NL , NS , PE
Native Distribution: Southern Labrador south along coast to Florida; local around Great Lakes (also present on Pacific Coast).
Native Habitat: Beaches.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N), GL(N), SPM(N)

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Native plants of dune erosion control in Michigan
May 30, 2008
We care for Lake Michigan dune near our home in New Buffalo and would like to provide erosion control with native species that will also enhance the beauty of the dune with long lasting flowers. The ...
view the full question and answer

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Natural Biodiversity - Johnstown, PA

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Cakile edentula in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Cakile edentula in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Cakile edentula

Metadata

Record Modified: 2011-07-13
Research By: TWC Staff

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