Brassica

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Brassica is a genus of plants in the cabbage family (Brassicaceae). The members of the genus may be collectively known either as cabbages, or as mustards.

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This genus is remarkable for containing 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.

Related Topics:
Agricultural - Horticultural - Weeds - Cultivar - Annual - Biennial

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The genus is native in the wild in western Europe, the Mediterranean and temperate regions of Asia. In addition to the cultivated species, which are grown worldwide, many of the wild species grow as weeds, especially in North America, South America, and Australia.

Related Topics:
Europe - Mediterranean - Asia - North America - South America - Australia

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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.

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Brassica species are sometimes used as food plants by the larvae of Lepidoptera species including Garden Dart.

Related Topics:
Larva - Lepidoptera - Garden Dart

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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.

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