Brassica
106355
223889642
2008-07-06T10:31:28Z
Cuaxdon
6807998
/* Uses */
{{Taxobox
| name = ''Brassica''
| image = Brassica rapa plant.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = ''Brassica rapa''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Brassicales]]
| familia = [[Brassicaceae]]
| genus = '''''Brassica'''''
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
See text.
}}
'''''Brassica''''' (''[[Syllable stress of Botanical Latin|Brás-si-ca]]'') is a genus of plants in the mustard family ([[Brassicaceae]]). The members of the genus may be collectively known either as cabbages, or as mustards. Crops from this genus are sometimes called ''cole crops''.<ref>{{cite web
| publisher=Emily Compost
| work=Garden Glossary
| title=Cole crops
| accessdate=2007-09-07
| url=http://www.emilycompost.com/garden_glossary.htm
}}</ref>
This genus is remarkable for containing more important [[agricultural]] and [[horticultural]] crops than any other genus. It also includes a number of [[weed]]s, both wild taxa and escapees from cultivation. It includes over 30 wild species and hybrids, and numerous additional [[cultivar]]s and hybrids of cultivated origin. Most are [[Annual plant|annual]]s or [[Biennial plant|biennial]]s, but some are small shrubs.
The genus is native in the wild in western [[Europe]], the [[Mediterranean climate|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]].
==Uses==
===Food===
Almost all parts of some species or other have been developed for food, including the root ([[rutabaga|swedes]], [[Turnip (Brassica rapa)|turnips]]), stems ([[kohlrabi]]), leaves ([[cabbage]], [[brussels sprout]]s), flowers ([[cauliflower]], [[broccoli]]), and seeds (many, including [[mustard seed]], oilseed [[Rapeseed|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 [[larva]]e of a number of [[Lepidoptera]] species - see [[List of Lepidoptera that feed on Brassica]].
Due to their agricultural importance, ''Brassica'' plants have 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]] theory.
===Medicine===
Brassica vegetables are highly regarded for their nutritional value. They provide high amounts of [[vitamin C]] and [[dietary fiber|soluble fiber]] and contain multiple nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties: [[3,3'-Diindolylmethane]], [[sulforaphane]] and selenium.
Researchers at the University of California at Berkeley have recently discovered that 3,3'-Diindolylmethane in Brassica vegetables is a potent modulator of the innate [[immune]] response system with potent anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer activity.
== Species ==
There is some disagreement among botanists on the classification and status of Brassica species and subspecies. The following is an abbreviated list, with an emphasis on economically important species.
* ''[[Brassica carinata|B. carinata]]'' - Abyssinian Mustard or Abyssinian Cabbage, used to produce [[biodiesel]].
* ''[[Brassica elongata|B. elongata]]'' - Elongated Mustard
* ''[[Brassica fruticulosa|B. fruticulosa]]'' - Mediterranean Cabbage
* ''[[Brassica juncea|B. juncea]]'' - Indian Mustard, Brown and leaf mustards, Sarepta Mustard.
* ''[[Rapeseed|B. napus]]'' - [[Rapeseed]], [[Canola]], [[Rutabaga]] (Swede Turnip), [[Nabicol]]
* ''[[Brassica narinosa|B. narinosa]]'' - Broadbeaked Mustard
* ''[[Brassica nigra|B. nigra]]'' - Black Mustard
* ''[[Brassica oleracea|B. oleracea]]'' - [[Kale]], [[Cabbage]], [[Broccoli]], [[Cauliflower]], [[Kai-lan]], [[Brussels sprout]]s
* ''[[Brassica perviridis|B. perviridis]]'' - Tender Green, Mustard Spinach
* ''[[Brassica rapa|B. rapa]]'' (syn ''B. campestris'') - [[Chinese cabbage]], [[Turnip (Brassica rapa)|Turnip]], [[Rapini]], [[mustard plant|Mustard]], [[Komatsuna]]
* ''[[Brassica rupestris|B. rupestris]]'' - Brown Mustard
* ''[[Brassica septiceps|B. septiceps]]'' - Seventop Turnip
* ''[[Brassica tournefortii|B. tournefortii]]'' - Asian Mustard
===Deprecated species names===
* ''B. kaber'' (Wild Mustard or Charlock) - see ''[[Sinapis arvensis]]''
* ''B. alba'' or ''B. hirta'' (White or Yellow mustard) - see ''[[White mustard|Sinapis alba]]''
==Genome sequencing and genetics==
The ''B. rapa'' genome is currently being sequenced by an international consortium. This also represents the A genome component of the amphidiploid crop species ''B. napus'' and ''B. juncea''
.<ref>{{cite web
| title=The www.brassica.info website for the Multinational Brassica Genome Project
| url=http://www.brassica.info
}}</ref>
==See also==
* [[Cruciferous vegetables]] for more edible plants of the Brassicaceae family.
==References==
<references/>
{{Commons|Brassica}}
[[Category:Brassica| ]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[Category:Energy crops]]
[[Category:Biodiesel crops]]
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