sea kale

Crambe maritima

Sea kale is a special plant that grows by the sea. It has big, green leaves and pretty white flowers. People can eat its leaves and flowers, making it a tasty treat from nature!

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The sea kale has large, waxy, blue-green leaves with crinkled edges, forming a striking mound. In summer, it produces dense clusters of small, fragrant white flowers that stand proudly above the foliage, contrasting with the dark leaves.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderBrassicalesFamilyBrassicaceaeGenusCrambe

Photo: Siim at et.wikipediaCC BY-SA 2.5 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

sea kale

Interesting facts

Its shoots were once blanched and eaten like asparagus, a gourmet treat in Europe!

Sea kale seeds are buoyant, allowing them to travel far across the ocean currents!

This plant's bright white flower clusters glow like beacons on stormy coastal nights!

Viking warriors might have eaten sea kale to stay healthy on long voyages!

Special abilities

Sea kale has a long, deep taproot that anchors it firmly in shifting sand and gravel, allowing it to find water deep underground.

Sea kale can excrete excess salt through special glands on its leaves, helping it survive harsh, salty coastal conditions.

Measurements & details

Height: 30-75 cm
Spread: 60-90 cm
Flower Size: 0.5-1 cm
Bloom Season: Late_spring_to_mid_summer
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

Pollinates

European Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

for nectar and pollen

Eaten by

Garden Snail

Helix aspersa

grazes on leaves

Eaten by

Diamondback Moth

Plutella xylostella

larvae feed on leaves

Traits

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Biennial

Biennial plants complete their life cycle over two growing seasons, typically forming foliage in the first year and flowering/seeding in the second.

Spring Blooming

Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.

Salt Tolerant

Salt tolerant plants can withstand and grow in conditions with elevated salinity levels in the soil or water.

Edible

Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Rapid Growing

Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.

Coastal

Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Plants

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always check with an adult before trying new plants to eat.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify sea kale?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is sea kale?

30-75 cm

How wide does sea kale spread?

60-90 cm

How big are the flowers on sea kale?

0.5-1 cm

When does sea kale bloom?

Late_spring_to_mid_summer

Is sea kale edible?

Yes

Is sea kale toxic?

None