PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

 
 
   
 
Scientific Name Common Name Global Rank State Rank Federal Status WI Status

American Sea-rocket (Cakile edentula var. lacustris)

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Photo by Kevin Doyle

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

American Sea-rocket (Cakile edentula var. lacustris), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found on Lake Michigan beaches or, less commonly, on dunes. Blooming occurs early-July through early-September, fruiting late-July through late-September. The optimal identification period for this species is early-July through September.

Bunias edentula, Cakile americana, Cakile californica, Cakile lacustris

 
 
 

American see-rocket is an erect forb, 10-80cm tall, that has 4-parted flowers with pale purple to white petals that are 5mm long. Its seed pod is divided into two unequal-sized sections, the lower part much smaller and top-shaped, 5-12mm long and the upper much larger, oval or lance-shaped, plump, 5-9mm wide, with a flattened tip. Each section has only one seed. Its leaves are smooth, spatula-shaped with a rounded tip, and gradually taper to the base and wavy edges.

Blooming occurs early-July through early-September, fruiting late-July through late-September.

Annual. The optimal identification period for this species is early-July through September.

Associated species include Salsola kali, Corsipermum hyssopifolium, Euphorbia polygonifolia, Ammophila breviligulata, Lathyrus japonicus, and Elymus lanceolatus ssp psammophilus.

American sea-rocket prefers sandy soils and is found on Lake Michigan beaches or, less commonly, on dunes.

Avoid known individual plant locations and conduct operations elsewhere when they are least likely to cause damage. Ideally, this would involve frozen, snow-covered ground. However, in areas of the state where frozen conditions are unreliable, very dry soils late in the growing season might be the best available alternative. Consult with a biologist, if needed.

Avoid locating landings, staging areas, or access routes on or near known populations.

Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides and use care with spot spraying.

Because this plant is an annual, work may safely be conducted before the plants emerge or after they have developed mature seeds.

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations

Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.