Arugula is a nutritious leafy vegetable popular as salad green. It belongs to Eruca sativa species. It is also called garden rocket, roquette, eruca, and rocket salad. Arugula is extremly popular in Italian cuisine. It is native to the Mediterranean region, specifically Morocco, Portugal and Lebanon.The leaves are aromatic, with distinct rich peppery taste. Arugula seeds are used for flavoring cooking oils.Arugula is mostly cultivated in the temperate regions including Northern Europe and North America.t is native to the Mediterranean region, specifically Morocco, Portugal and Lebanon. The leaves are aromatic, with distinct rich peppery taste. Arugula seeds are used for flavoring cooking oils. Arugula is mostly cultivated in the temperate regions including Northern Europe and North America.