Arugula

Arugula

Scientific Name:
Eruca vesicaria ssp. sativa

Family:
Brassicaceae

Varieties:

• Default (ID: 29)

Introduction

Eruca vesicaria ssp. sativa, commonly known as arugula, salad rocket, or garden rocket, is an annual plant belonging to the family Brassicaceae. It is native to the Mediterranean region and has been widely cultivated for its leaves, which are used as a leaf vegetable due to their peppery flavor. The plant is also known for its historical use in ancient Roman and Greek cuisine, and it continues to be a popular ingredient in salads today.

Characteristics

• Physical Characteristics: Arugula grows up to 3 feet tall and has pinnate leaves that are deeply lobed with four to ten small lateral lobes and a large terminal lobe. The flowers are typically white or yellow, arranged in a corymb, and the fruit is a siliqua containing several seeds.
• Growing Conditions: It thrives in a variety of habitats, including roadsides, disturbed areas, and cultivated fields. It can grow at elevations from sea level to 4,000 feet.
• Lifecycle: As an annual plant, it completes its lifecycle within a year. It is usually propagated by seeds and can be harvested continuously as needed since the leaves do not store well.

Why is this crop useful for space?

Arugula could be beneficial for space cultivation due to several reasons: - Nutritional Value: It is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, making it a valuable source of nutrients in space missions where maintaining a balanced diet is crucial. - Easy to Grow: Its ability to thrive in controlled environments with minimal space requirements makes it suitable for hydroponic or aeroponic systems often used in space agriculture. - Low Maintenance: As an annual plant, it has a short growth cycle, which can provide a quick turnaround for continuous harvests in space, where resources are limited.

History of Cultivation in Space (if there is any)

There is no specific information available on the cultivation of Eruca vesicaria ssp. sativa in space. However, plants like lettuce and radish have been grown in space as part of experiments to develop sustainable food systems for long-duration space missions. The principles learned from these experiments could potentially be applied to arugula cultivation in space.

Note: While there is no specific mention of arugula in space cultivation, the general principles of growing leafy greens in space could be relevant. For detailed information on space cultivation experiments, NASA’s Vegetable Production System (Veggie) and similar projects provide insights into growing plants in microgravity environments.