Cakile maritima

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Common Name:

Sea Rocket

Family:

Brassicaceae

Distribution (from Flora of Victoria):

Wannon, Otway Plain, Otway Range, Gippsland Plain, Wilsons Promontory, East Gippsland (EKNPTWXZ) also naturalises WA, SA, Qld, NSW, Tas
Map - Australasian Virtual Herbarium

Distribution and ecological preference at Wilsons Promontory (if known):

Common on foredunes of most beaches 1

Flower Description:

Deep pink (sometimes white or purple) 1

Habit:

Annual herb with succulent leaves to 80 cm long 2,3

Distinguishing characteristics (within family/genus):


This species is similar to C. edentula however the lower portion of the fruit segment of C. maritima is almost as broad as the upper segment and has lateral projections. The lower section of the fruit of C. edentula is ovoid and narrower than the upper 3

Images:

Image: Mike Bayly
Image: Mike Bayly

Links to more images:

Atlas of Living Australia MELU

Links to description of this species:

WA Flora PFAF VicFlora

Conservation status:

Introduced

References:

1 Meagher, D. and Kohout, M. (2001). “A field guide to Wilsons Promontory”. Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, Vic.
2 Ellis, M. (unpublished). “A Field Guide to South Gippsland Flora”.
3 Walsh, N. G. and Entwisle, T. J. “Flora of Victoria”, volumes 2 (1994), 3 (1996) and 4 (1999). Inkata Press, Port Melbourne, Victoria