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]] [[cs:Brukev]] [[da:Kål]] [[de:Kohl]] [[es:Brassica]] [[eo:Brasiko]] [[fr:Brassica]] [[gl:Brassica]] [[ko:십자화속]] [[hsb:Kał]] [[id:Brassica]] [[is:Kál]] [[it:Brassica]] [[la:Brassica]] [[nl:Kool (geslacht)]] [[no:Brassica]] [[nn:Kål]] [[pl:Kapusta]] [[pt:Brassica]] [[ro:Varză]] [[ru:Капуста (род)]] [[sq:Brassica]] [[fi:Kaalit]] [[sv:Kål]] [[uk:Капуста]]