Brassicaceae or Cruciferae is a medium-sized and economically important family of flowering plants commonly known as the mustards,the crucifers,or the cabbage family. Most are herbaceous plants,while some are shrubs. The leaves are simple,lack stipules,and appear alternately on stems or in rosettes. The inflorescences are terminal and lack bracts. The flowers have four free sepals,four free alternating petals,two shorter free stamens and four longer free stamens. The fruit has seeds in rows,divided by a thin wall.
The turnip or white turnip is a root vegetable commonly grown in temperate climates worldwide for its white,fleshy taproot. Small,tender varieties are grown for human consumption,while larger varieties are grown as feed for livestock. In Northern England,Scotland,Ireland,Cornwall,Devon,and parts of Canada,the word turnip often refers to rutabaga,also known as swede,a larger,yellow root vegetable in the same genus (Brassica).
Brassica is a genus of plants in the cabbage and mustard family (Brassicaceae). The members of the genus are informally known as cruciferous vegetables,cabbages,or mustard plants. Crops from this genus are sometimes called cole crops—derived from the Latin caulis,denoting the stem or stalk of a plant.
Collard is a group of certain loose-leafed cultivars of Brassica oleracea,the same species as many common vegetables including cabbage and broccoli. Collard is generally described as part of the Acephala (kale) cultivar group,but gets its own variety as Brassica oleracea var. viridis. The name "collard" comes from the word "colewort".
Chinese cabbage is either of two cultivar groups of leaf vegetables often used in Chinese cuisine:the Pekinensis Group and the Chinensis Group.
Rapini or broccoli rabe is a green cruciferous vegetable,with the leaves,buds,and stems all being edible;the buds somewhat resemble broccoli,but do not form a large head. Rapini is known for its bitter taste,and is particularly associated with Mediterranean cuisine.
Bok choy,pak choi or pok choi is a type of Chinese cabbage,used as food. Chinensis varieties do not form heads and have green leaf blades with lighter bulbous bottoms instead,forming a cluster reminiscent of mustard greens. It has a flavor between spinach and water chestnuts but is slightly sweeter,with a mildly peppery undertone. The green leaves have a stronger flavor than the white bulb.
Gai lan,kai-lan,Chinese broccoli,or Chinese kale is a leafy vegetable with thick,flat,glossy blue-green leaves with thick stems,and florets similar to broccoli. A Brassica oleracea cultivar,gai lan is in the group alboglabra. When gone to flower,its white blossoms resemble that of its cousin Matthiola incana or hoary stock. The flavor is very similar to that of broccoli,but noticeably stronger and slightly more bitter.
Choy sum is a leafy vegetable commonly used in Chinese cuisine. It is a member of the genus Brassica of the mustard family,Brassicaceae. Choy sum is a transliteration of the Cantonese name,which can be literally translated as "heart of the vegetable". Choy sum is also called yu choy. It is also known as Chinese flowering cabbage.
Leaf vegetables,also called leafy greens,pot herbs,vegetable greens,or simply greens,are plant leaves eaten as a vegetable,sometimes accompanied by tender petioles and shoots. Leaf vegetables eaten raw in a salad can be called salad greens.
Ipomoea aquatica,widely known as water spinach,is a semi-aquatic,tropical plant grown as a vegetable for its tender shoots. I. aquatica is generally believed to have been first domesticated in Southeast Asia. It is widely cultivated in Southeast Asia,East Asia,and South Asia. It grows abundantly near waterways and requires little to no care.
Brassica rapa is a plant species growing in various widely cultivated forms including the turnip;Komatsuna,napa cabbage,bomdong,bok choy,and rapini.
Brassica juncea,commonly brown mustard,Chinese mustard,Indian mustard,leaf mustard,Oriental mustard and vegetable mustard,is a species of mustard plant.
Mesclun is a mix of assorted small young salad greens that originated in Provence,France. The traditional mix includes chervil,arugula,leafy lettuces and endive,while the term mesclun may also refer to a blend that might include some or all of these four and baby spinach,collard greens,Swiss chard,mustard greens,dandelion greens,frisée,mizuna,mâche,radicchio,sorrel,or other fresh leaf vegetables.
Mizuna,kyouna (京菜),Japanese mustard greens,or spider mustard,is a cultivar of Brassica rapa var. niposinica.
Komatsuna or Japanese mustard spinach is a leaf vegetable. It is a variety of Brassica rapa,the plant species that yields the turnip,mizuna,napa cabbage,and rapini. It is grown commercially in Japan and Taiwan. It is a versatile vegetable that is cooked and eaten in many ways. The plant is also used for fodder in some Asian countries.
Winter greens are green leaved vegetables,closely related to the cabbage,that are seasonably available in winter.
Napa cabbage is a type of Chinese cabbage originating near the Beijing region of China that is widely used in East Asian cuisine. Since the 20th century,it has also become a widespread crop in Europe,the Americas and Australia. In much of the world,it is referred to as "Chinese cabbage". In Australia it also is referred to as "wombok".
Stir-fried water spinach is a common Asian vegetable dish,known by various names in Asian languages. Water spinach is stir-fried with a variety of vegetables,spices,and sometimes meats. It is commonly found throughout East,South and Southeast Asia;from Sichuan and Cantonese cuisine in China,to Indonesian,Burmese,Cambodian,Filipino,Malaysian,Singaporean,and Vietnamese cuisine in Southeast Asia;to Sri Lankan cuisine and Bengali cuisine in South Asia.
Nanohana (菜の花) is a Japanese generic name for flowers of the Brassicaceae family. The related term,nabana,refers to the flowers and leaf stalks of turnip,napa cabbage,cabbage,brown mustard,zha cai,and broccoli,belonging to the Brassicaceae family,commonly used in Japanese cuisine. A type of nabana,the rapeseed plant,is used to produce rapeseed oil (nataneyu). Nabana is also used for decoration.
