Brassica rapa

Wild turnip

Brassicaceae Edible: Roots, Leaves, Seeds, Flowers 21,317 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Source: Wikipedia

Brassica rapa is an annual to biennial plant species native to Eurasia that is from the Brassicaceae family. It has been widely cultivated into many forms, including the turnip (a root vegetable), komatsuna, Chinese cabbage, bomdong, pak choi / bok choy, and rapini. Its domesticated forms include turnips and leafy greens, such as bok choy and napa cabbage. The oilseed types are grown for food and industrial uses. Genetic studies indicate that B. rapa was one of the earliest domesticated brassicas, with turnip-like forms arising first and additional morphotypes developing independently across Eurasia. Wild, feral, and cultivated populations are found worldwide, making the species important agriculturally, economically, and ecologically. Brassica rapa subspecies oleifera is an oilseed commonly known as turnip rape, field mustard, bird's rape, and keblock. Rapeseed oil is a general term for oil from some Brassica species. Food grade oil made from the seed of low-erucic acid Canadian-developed strains is also called canola oil, while non-food oil is called colza oil. Canola oil can be sourced from Brassica rapa and Brassica napus, which are commonly grown in Canada, and Brassica juncea, which is less common.

Description

A cabbage family herb. It is an erect annual plant. It has a round white fleshed taproot. It is often tinged purple. The leaves are divided and have hairs. Where the leaves join the root it is not raised into a "neck". There are Asian or more tropical varieties. These will produce seed in warmer places. The wild form is a thin plant with leaves that clasp the stem. The pods are 4-6.5 cm long and have seedless beaks 2-3.2 cm long.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Root Edible Uses: Leaves - raw or cooked. The cooked leaves make an acceptable vegetable, though they are coarser than the related cabbage. They are more often used as a spring greens, sowing the plants in the autumn and allowing them t overwinter. Young leaves can also be added in small quantities to salads, they have a slightly hot cabbage-like flavour and some people find them indigestible. A nutritional analysis is available. Root - raw or cooked. Often used as a cooked vegetable, the young roots can also be grated and eaten in salads, they have a slightly hot flavour like a mild radish. A nutritional analysis is available. References More on Edible Uses Composition Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food. Leaves (Dry weight) 2300 Calories per 100g Water : 0% Protein: 30g; Fat: 4g; Carbohydrate: 54g; Fibre: 7g; Ash: 12g; Minerals - Calcium: 1600mg; Phosphorus: 1000mg; Iron: 17mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 0mg; Potassium: 4500mg; Zinc: 0mg; Vitamins - A: 0mg; Thiamine (B1): 30mg; Riboflavin (B2): 2mg; Niacin: 8mg; B6: 0mg; C: 500mg; Reference: Notes:

Traditional Uses

The swollen root is cooked and eaten. The leaves can be eaten. The seeds can be ground to a powder and used as a seasoning.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

Cancer Poultice A decoction of the leaves or stems is used in the treatment of cancer. The powdered seed is said to be a folk remedy for cancer. The crushed ripe seeds are used as a poultice on burns. Some caution should be exercised here since the seed of most brassicas is rubefacient. The root when boiled with lard is used for breast tumours. A salve derived from the flowers is said to help skin cancer.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It will grow in both the lowlands and highlands in the tropics but does best in the highlands between 1700 and 2600 m altitude. In Java it can be grown above 1,000 m above sea level. It is frost resistant. A temperature of 9-16°C is best. Also short daylength and cool weather are important. It grows in Nepal to 2500 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. Tasmania Herbarium. In Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Africa, Albania, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Britain, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ethiopia, Europe*, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, Indochina, Iraq, Ireland, Korea, Madagascar, Mexico, Middle East, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Tasmania, Thailand, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, West Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Turnip is basically a cool climate crop that is resistant to frost and mild freezes. The plants are very easily grown, provided they grow quickly when young and the soil is not allowed to dry out. They succeed in full sun in a well-drained fertile preferably alkaline soil. Turnips grow best in deep, friable, highly fertile soil with pH 5.5 - 6.8. They are said to prefer a light sandy soil, especially when grown for an early crop in the spring, and dislike a heavy soil. They prefer cool moist growing conditions. Turnips tolerate an annual precipitation of 35 to 410cm, an annual average temperature range of 3.6 to 27.4°C and a pH in the range of 4.2 to 7.8. Temperatures below 10°C cause the plants to run to seed, even if they have not yet formed an edible root. The turnip is often cultivated, both in the garden and commercially, for its edible root. A fast growing plant, it can take less than ten weeks from sowing to harvesting. Its short growing season makes turnips very adaptable as a catch crop. There are several named varieties and by careful selection and successional sowing it is possible to harvest roots all year round. The roots are fairly cold hardy and can be left in the ground during the winter, harvesting them as required. However, they can be troubled by slugs and other creatures so it is often better to harvest them in late autumn or early winter and store them in a cool but frost-free place. This species has long been cultivated as an edible plant and a large number of forms have been developed. Botanists have divided these forms into a number of groups, and these are detailed below. Separate entries in the database have been made for each group. B. rapa. The species was actually named for the cultivated garden turnip with its edible swollen tap root. This form is dealt with on this record. B. rapa campestris. This is the wild form of the species. It does not have a swollen root and is closest to the forms grown for their oil-rich seeds. B. rapa chinensis. Pak choi has long been cultivated in the Orient for its large tender edible leaves which are mainly produced in the summer and autumn. B. rapa dichotoma. Cultivated in the Orient mainly for its oil-rich seeds. B. rapa narinosa. Chinese savoy is another Oriental form. It is grown for its edible leaves. B. rapa nipposinica. Mizuna is a fast-growing cold-hardy form with tender edible leaves that can be produced all year round. B. rapa oleifera. The stubble turnip has a swollen edible root, though it is considered too coarse for human consumption and is grown mainly for fodder and as a green manure. It is also cultivated for its oil-rich seeds. B. rapa parachinensis. False pak choi is very similar to B. rapa chinensis with tender edible leaves, though it is considerably more cold-hardy. B. rapa pekinensis. Chinese cabbages are widely grown in the Orient. The large tender leaves often form a cabbage-like head. B. rapa perviridis. Spinach mustard is grown for its edible leaves. A very cold-hardy plant, and also able to withstand summer heat, it can provide a crop all year round. B. rapa trilocularis. Indian colza is mainly grown for its oil-rich seeds. Grows well with peas but dislikes growing with hedge mustard and knotweed. A good bee plant.

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ from early spring to late summer. The first sowing can be made under cloches in late winter and will be ready for use in early summer. The latest sowings for winter use can be made in mid to late summer.

Other Uses

Fodder Insecticide Turnip root peelings contain a natural insecticide. The chopped roots can be brewed into a tea with flaked soap, this is then strained before use. It is effective against aphids, red spider mites and flies. Special Uses Dynamic accumulator

Production

The roots are ready after 8-10 weeks. They need to be harvested when young to avoid becoming hard and fibrous.

Notes

There are about 30 Brassica species and many cultivated varieties.

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Leaves	90	117	28	3	46	139	1.9	—
Roots raw	90	113	27	0.9	—	21	0.3	—

Synonyms

See Brassica rapa var. rapa Brassica campestris var. rapaBrassica rapa var. campestris (L.) Peterm.

Also Known As

Colza, Couve-naveira, Gantemula, Mortaga, Mostacilla, Mostarda, Mostaza, Nabica, Nabo blanco, Nabo salvaje, Nabo silvestre, Navina, Naviza, Ngedon, Nuucu, Pata de cuervo, Rave, Repollo silvestre, Shita, Tenjilo, Xartala, Yuyo

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