Brassicas - The Manual of Seed Saving - page 71

Arugula seeds
HARVEST Arugula seeds have a natural dormancy period of about two months from the time of har-
vest. Seedpods are up to 1.5 in. (4 cm) long and stand upright on the stalk. Harvest seedpods shortly
before fully ripe, as they otherwise fall off. Dry in the shade. Protection from birds may be in order as
they like to snack on arugula's oily, spicy seeds. Arugula can also self-sow in the garden.
Perennial wallrocket ( Diplotaxis tenuifolia )
SELECTION CHARACTERISTICS There are no distinct varieties of arugula per se, only different selec-
tions and places of origin, which differentiate themselves in leaf color and size, vigor, and essential oil
content, which gives the plant its pungent, spicy flavor.
DISEASES AND PESTS Flea beetles and cabbage seed weevils can cause a lot of damage when plants
are flowering. See Brassica oleracea .
CULTIVATION HISTORY The wild relative of arugula is found from the Mediterranean to Afghanistan.
It was used in ancient Italy as a leaf vegetable, and oil from its seeds was considered to be an aphrodis-
iac. Arugula was grown in central Europe in the Middle Ages for its pungent leaves but was later all
but forgotten. In India, arugula is grown in a polyculture with flax, cereals, or cotton. Seeds are used
there as a seasoning, and taramira or jamba oil from arugula seeds is used in pickling and cooking, as a
lamp oil, and as a medicinal.