Family: Brassicaceae
Diplotaxis tenuifolia (perennial wall-rocket or wild rocket) is a herbaceous plant native to Europe and Western Asia but now widely naturalized in temperate regions worldwide. It grows up to 60 cm tall, with slender, branching stems and deeply lobed, lance-shaped leaves that emit a pungent, mustard-like aroma when crushed. Its small, bright yellow flowers bloom in loose clusters, producing slender seed pods (siliques) that release numerous tiny seeds.
The leaves of D. tenuifolia are edible, with a sharp, peppery flavor prized in salads and gourmet dishes. While less commercially prominent than arugula, it is foraged and occasionally cultivated for culinary use. D. tenuifolia thrives in disturbed habitats, roadsides, and agricultural fields. The plant is mainly spread via roads, paths, rail lines, farm machinery, animals (possibly clinging to the hooves) and people. Though occasionally weedy, it is not considered highly invasive, as it rarely dominates intact ecosystems. In some areas (e.g., California), it is classified as a minor agricultural weed but is also valued by pollinators for its early-season flowers. Escaped plants were collected on the island of Oahu, suggesting it may be naturalized.
High Risk Traits:
- Broad climate suitability and elevation range
- Widely naturalized in temperate regions around the world, and collected on the island of Oahu
- A weed of agriculture and livestock, potentially tainting meat and dairy produce
- Other species in the genus are weeds
- Generally unpalatable to animals
- Unconfirmed reports of toxicity to grazing animals
- Tolerates many soil types (not limited by substrate)
- Forms dense cover and dominates poor pastures
- Reproduces by seed
- Hybridizes with other species
- Able to spread from roots fragments
- Reaches maturity in its first year of growth
- Seed spread as a contaminant on vehicles
- Seeds also carried on animals, clothes, bags, water, mud etc.
- Intentionally cultivated in some regions
- Tolerates and regrows after cutting
Low Risk Traits:
- Primarily a weed of disturbed habitats and poorly managed pastures
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Palatable to animals
- Not reported to be toxic
- Grows best in high light environments (dense shade may inhibit spread)
- Self-incompatible (requires cross pollination from other plants to produce viable seed)
- Herbicides can provide effective control (although plants may be resistant to certain herbicides)
