Brassica
|
|
| Brassica | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missing image Brassica_rapa_plant.jpg Brassica rapa Brassica rapa | ||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
| Species | ||||||||||||
|
See text |
Brassica is a plant genus, in the cabbage family (Cruciferae, also known, more fashionably, as the Brassicaceae). The members of the genus may be collectively known either as the cabbages, or as mustards.
This remarkable genus contains more important agricultural and horticultural crops than any other genus. It also includes a number of weeds, both wild taxa and escapes from cultivation. It includes over 30 wild species and hybrids, and numerous additional cultivars and hybrids of cultivated origin. Most are annuals or biennials, but some are small shrubs.
The genus occurs in the wild in western Europe, the Mediterranean and temperate regions of Asia.
Almost all parts of some species or other have been developed for food, including the root (swedes, turnips), stems (kohlrabi), leaves (cabbage, brussels sprouts), flowers (cauliflower, broccoli), and seeds (many, including mustard seed, oilseed rape). Some forms with white or purple foliage or flowerheads, are also sometimes grown for ornament.
Brassica species are sometimes used as food plants by the larvae of Lepidoptera species including Garden Dart.
Due to their agricultural importance, Brassica plants how been the subject of much scientific interest. The close relationship between 6 particularly important species (Brassica carinata, B. juncea, B. oleracea, B. napus, B. nigra and B. rapa) is described by the Triangle of U.
Species
There is some disagreement among authorities, and this is only an abbreviated list, with emphasis on economically important species.
- B. carinata - Abyssinian Mustard or Abyssinian Cabbage
- B. elongata - Elongated Mustard
- B. fruticulosa - Mediterranean Cabbage
- B. juncea - Indian Mustard, Brown and leaf mustards, Sarepta Mustard.
- B. napus - Mustard, Oilseed rape, Canola, Rutabaga (Swede Turnip)
- B. narinosa - Broadbeaked Mustard
- B. nigra - Black mustard
- B. oleracea - Kale, Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Kai-lan, Brussels sprouts
- B. perviridis - Tender Green, Mustard Spinach
- B. rapa - Chinese cabbage, Turnip, Rapini
- B. rupestris - Mustard
- B. septiceps - Seventop Turnip
- B. tournefortii - Asian Mustard
Template:Commonsde:Kohl fr:Brassica nl:Kool (geslacht) pl:Kapusta