Eruca

Eruca is a genus of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae, native to the Mediterranean region and western Asia. The best-known member is Eruca sativa, widely cultivated for its edible leaves, which are consumed as a leafy vegetable under common names such as arugula, rocket, or roquette. In some classifications, Eruca sativa is treated as the cultivated form of the wild species Eruca vesicaria.

Plants are annual or biennial herbs that reach about 20–50 cm in height. They produce alternate, lobed leaves with a peppery, slightly bitter flavor. Flowers are small, white to pale yellow, arranged in racemes; the four petals display the characteristic cross shape of Brassicaceae.

They prefer well-drained soils and full sun or light shade. They are fast-growing and cold-tolerant, often sown in early spring or autumn. In warm weather they bloom quickly and leaves can become bitter; harvest typically occurs when leaves are young for best flavor.

Leaves are used in salads, pasta, pizzas, and sandwiches, or as microgreens. They are a source of vitamins A, C, and K, folate, and minerals, and contain glucosinolates, polyphenols, and fiber.

Taxonomy: The genus Eruca is in Brassicaceae; it contains one widely cultivated species, E. sativa; some sources treat E. vesicaria as a wild relative.