Try for Free
tab list
PictureThis
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
PictureThis
Search
Search Plants
Try for Free
Global
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
This page looks better in the app
picturethis icon
Instantly identify plants with a snap
Snap a photo for instant plant ID, gaining quick insights on disease prevention, treatment, toxicity, care, uses, and symbolism, etc.
Download the App for Free
Continue Reading
Arugula

How to identify Arugula (Eruca vesicaria)

Arugula, also known as Rocket salad, Jamba, Rocket, Rugula

Arugula features a rosette of lobed, elongated leaves with a deeply veined surface, growing around 8 inches to 3 feet (20 to 90 cm) in height and spanning 8 to 18 inches (20 to 45 cm) wide. The foliage is a vibrant green and has a signature peppery flavor. Its flowering stems bear small white to yellowish flowers, each with four petals arranged in a cross shape, characteristic of the Brassicaceae family.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Annual

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Arugula

1

Distinctive rosette of lobed, elongated leaves with deeply veined surface.

2

Four-petaled flowers in yellow, cream, or white with purplish veins.

3

Elongated pods, 1.27 to 3.81 cm (0.5 to 1.5 inches) in length.

4

Basal leaves pinnately lobed with 4-10 lateral lobes and larger terminal lobe.

5

Smooth-edged stem leaves, green coloration with pronounced central vein.

ArugulaArugulaArugulaArugulaArugula

Detailed Traits of Arugula

Leaf Features

The leaves of arugula are distinctive and aid in identification. The basal leaves are pinnately lobed, featuring 4-10 smaller lateral lobes with a larger terminal lobe, typically measuring 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) in length. In contrast, the stem leaves are reduced in size with entire margins, exhibiting a smooth edge. The leaves have a green coloration and a slightly textured surface with a pronounced central vein. These characteristics provide a clear distinction between the basal and stem leaves.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary
Group
Flower Features

Arugula has four-petaled flowers that are yellow, cream, or white, each up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) in size, and grow in corymbs. The petals have distinct purplish veins that add to their intricate appearance. The stamens are vibrant yellow. These blossoms are a key feature for identifying this plant, as the unique combination of petal and stamen colors, along with the vein patterns, make them quite distinctive.

Arugula Flower image
Learn About the Flower Glossary
Group
Fruit Features

The fruit of arugula is a distinctive elongated pod, typically ranging from 1.27 to 3.81 cm (0.5 to 1.5 inches) in length. These pods carry a beaked appearance and house two rows of seeds within their interior. The pods may exhibit a hue that blends with the foliage, often a pale green to a straw-yellow as they mature. The outer texture is generally smooth, yet can exhibit slight ridges or veins running along the surface, ending in a pointed beak. This siliqua-type fruit tends to split open once mature, releasing the seeds for propagation.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary
Group
Icon code

Scan QR code to download

More Plants You May Like and How to Identify Them
Img topic
Cape jasmine

Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.

Img topic
Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Img topic
Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Img topic
Pepper

The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Img topic
Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Img topic
Bigleaf hydrangea

The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.

Identify Arugula easily and quickly
We're also capable of identifying over 12,000 types of plants, flowers, succulents, and trees in your surroundings.
Identify a Plant Online

Key Facts About Arugula

Attributes of Arugula
Lifespan
Annual
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
20 cm to 1 m
Spread
30 cm
Fruit Color
Green
Stem Color
Green
Leaf type
Deciduous
Identify plants with a snap
Instantly identify plants with AI: Snap a photo, and get accurate results within seconds.
Download the App for Free

Scientific Classification of Arugula

Genus
Arugula
Icon allow
Species
Arugula (Eruca vesicaria)
Learn More About the Arugula

Distribution Map of Arugula

Arugula is native to the Mediterranean region and parts of Western Asia. Its distribution extends as it is introduced and cultivated in various continents including South America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. This plant has successfully established itself in a range of climates, from subtropical to temperate zones, demonstrating its versatility and adaptability.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
close
close
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
product icon
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
product icon
Nearly 5 years of research
product icon
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
ad
ad
Botanist in your pocket
qrcode
PictureThis Ios DownloadPictureThis Android Download
Scan the QR code with your phone camera to download the app