Bunias orientalis - Oriental Rocket, Eastern Bunias

The Oriental Rocket, in Latin Bunias orientalis, is a very hardy herbaceous plant, water-efficient, whose leaves and flowers can be consumed. Its young lobed leaves, rounded to ovate, are arranged in a basal rosette. With a mild flavour, resembling cabbage, they are consumed raw in salads. The leaves on the stems are longer and roughly toothed on the edges. Due to their strong flavor, they are used cooked. The spring to summer flowering, resembling that of rapeseed, is quite decorative. This plant can self-seed abundantly in the garden. It is considered invasive in Central Europe and Eastern Europe.

The Oriental Rocket belongs to the Brassicaceae family (formerly Cruciferae). This species is native to Southeast Europe (Caucasus, mountainous regions of Armenia, southern Russia). Introduced in Europe since 1600, the Oriental Bunias is now present in the majority of European countries, except in the Mediterranean region. It was formerly used as a fodder plant, and it is believed that it was spread by the Russian army by using it as a supplement for horse feed. The Oriental Bunias can spread from seeds and root fragments transported with hay. This biennial to perennial plant, with more or less dissected leaves, will reach a height of 30 cm (12in) to 1.20 m (4ft) depending on the growing conditions. The Oriental Rocket has a fairly pronounced smell. The lower leaves are divided into lobes with a triangular terminal lobe, measuring up to 40 cm (16in) long. Flowering occurs from May to August depending on the climate. The branched inflorescence is a dense cluster of yellow flowers.

In cuisine, the young leaves of the Oriental Rocket are consumed in salads, alone or mixed (mesclun). The leaves of the stems are cooked like spinach.

In the vegetable garden, the Rocket is not demanding, it ideally grows in humus-rich, moist, and well-draining soil but also tolerates ordinary soils very well.

Harvest: Rocket is harvested from May to October. Preferably cut the leaves in the morning.

Storage: Rocket leaves can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days. To enjoy its full aroma, we recommend consuming it freshly picked.