Cakile

Cakile is a genus of flowering plants in the mustard family (Brassicaceae), commonly known as searockets. The genus includes a small number of coastal species native to temperate and subtropical regions around the world, especially along shorelines and in salt marshes. The two best-known species are Cakile maritima (European sea rocket) and Cakile edentula (American sea rocket); several authorities treat these as distinct species, while others recognize them as subspecies or varieties.

Description: Plants are low-growing, usually forming a rosette at the base with slender flowering stems. Leaves are fleshy, often oblong to lanceolate, with smooth margins. Flowers are small, white to pale purple, with four petals in the characteristic cross shape of the Brassicaceae. Fruits are siliques that split into two valves when mature, containing several seeds. Seeds are often capable of dispersal by water, which helps the plants colonize beach habitats.

Habitat and ecology: Cakile species are halophytes adapted to saline, windy coastal environments, including beaches, dunes, and salt marsh edges. They contribute to dune stabilization and can be among the first plants to colonize disturbed sands. Reproduction is primarily by seeds, though some populations may spread vegetatively in favorable conditions.

Taxonomy: Cakile is in the Brassicaceae family, within the order Brassicales. The genus contains a small number of closely related coastal species, with C. maritima and C. edentula being the most widely recognized in the literature.