Broccoli

Brassica oleracea Italica Group

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Broccoli is a plant of the Cabbage family, Brassicaceae (formerly Cruciferae). It is classified as the Italica Cultivar Group of the species Brassica oleracea. Other cultivar groups of Brassica oleracea include cabbage (Capitata Group), cauliflower (Botrytis Group), kale and collard greens (Acephala Group), kohlrabi (Gongylodes Group), and Brussels sprouts (Gemmifera Group). The Chinese broccoli (Alboglabra Group) is also a cultivar group of Brassica oleracea.

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Common varieties are Calabrese and purple sprouting broccoli.

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Broccoli possesses abundant fleshy green flower heads arranged in a tree-like fashion on branches sprouting from a thick, edible stalk. The large mass of flower heads is surrounded by leaves. Broccoli most closely resembles its close relative cauliflower, but is green rather than white.

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Broccoli is a cool-weather crop that does poorly in hot summer weather. It is usually boiled or steamed, but may be eaten raw and has become popular as a raw vegetable in hors-d'oeuvre trays. Broccoli is high in vitamin C and soluble fiber. Broccoli also contains the compound glucoraphanin, leading to an anticancer compound sulforaphane.

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The word broccoli comes from the Latin brachium and Italian brocco meaning 'arm', or 'branch'. Broccoli is often referred to as a "cruciferous" vegetable. The Brassicaceae family (also known as the mustard or cabbage family) was formerly called the Cruciferae family, due to the fact that these plants often have four petals which can look like crosses.

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Cabbage: Brassica oleracea Capitata Group...

Cruciferae: REDIRECT Brassicaceae...

Cultivar Group: Under the ICNCP, a cultivar group is a gathering of cultivars. There may be several reasons to designate a group, for example a group of yellow-flowering cultivars, a group of cultivars with variegated leaves, a group of cultivars resistant to a particular disease, etc. A cultivar may belong to more...

Broccoli related Images and Photos (experimental)

Broccoli

Chopped Broccoli Some String Beans and a Cauliflower Head on a Table