Rocket...herb or salad leaf?

[Gryfon]

It's not vitally important I know but I'm trying to make a list of the seeds I have so I can see what I need to get. I've got a herb list and a salad leaves list and one packet of rocket says salad leaves and another says herb!

See not vitally important but I don't want my list messed up

So what would you say? Thanks!

[Earthbabe]

I'd put it in as a salad leaf because that is how I use it, although having said that I think mine is in the herbs envelope not the lettuce and spring onions envelope.

I use sprigs of herbs (hyssop, borage, lovage, chives, chervil) in salads in the summer and flowers (borage, hyssop, nasturtium) if I have them just to complicate the matter.

[Alice]

I woulf put it with the salad leaves but that's only my feeling.

[Gryfon]

Thanks! Salad leaves it is

[Protea]

This is an interesting question, and i'm afraid there is not a simple answer! (recently done a project on it!)

Firstly it depends upon what sort of rocket you are taking about - there are generally 2 species - salad rocket (Eruca sativa) and wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia/muralis).

Both are brassicacea species and are classified botanically as a herb, but it is usually used as a salad leaf! very confusing!

In addition, salad rocket is an annual and generally grows very quickly, wild rocket tends to be perennial, slightly slower growing and will readily 'come again' when cut, it will overwinter in a cold frame (i have some in pots at the mo).
For the purposes of finding seed, i have found that Wild rocket often falls into the 'herb' category and salad rocket the 'salad leaf' category. Most seed packets labelled as 'rocket' i would assume to be salad rocket unless specifically stated otherwise!

This is probably of no help whatsoever, but thought it might be interesting!

[JennieAtkinson]

Very interesting Protea. Thank you!

[Gryfon]

That is interesting! Salad leaves it definetely is now as I use it as that most