Rucula

Ruccula or "rugula" is a type of vegetable, considered for culinary purposes a vegetable of leaf type. Scientifically, consists of three species: Eruca sativa, Diplotaxismuralis and Diplotaxistenuifolia. Castilian vernacular names of these species are larva, rucola and arugula.

The ruccula has been cultivated as a vegetable in the Mediterranean since Roman times, being considered an aphrodisiac. Nevertheless, it has not been cultivated on a large scale or subjected to scientific research until the 1990s, usually being collected wild. Nowadays, it is cultivated in various places, being available in different parts of the world.

The ruccula is especially used in salads, and is rich in vitamin C and iron.