Brassica rapa narinosa - (L.H.Bailey.)Hanelt.

(L.H.Bailey.)Hanelt.

Chinese Savoy

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Description

Brassica rapa narinosa is a BIENNIAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked.

Distribution

A cultivar of garden origin.

Where It Grows

(Brassica rapa) Albania, Algeria, Bulgaria, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Morocco, North Caucasus, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Turkey, Yugoslavia.

Cultivation

Succeeds in full sun in a well-drained fertile preferably alkaline soil. Prefers a pH of 5.5 to 7. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.3 to 7.5. Prefers a cool moist reasonably fertile soil. Chinese savoy is often cultivated, especially in the Orient, for its edible leaves. There are some named varieties.