Broccoli
Brassica oleracea var. italica
Family: Brassicaceae
What it is like
A cabbage family plant. It has a thickened green or blue flower at the centre. The flower is often in several small heads. They are surrounded by broad leaves attached to a thick stalk. Calabrese is a variety with tightly packed green or purple heads.
There are about 30 Brassica species and many cultivated varieties. It is claimed to help fight cancer, especially prostate cancer. It has 5.7 mg per 100 g dry weight and 3.0 mg fresh weight of alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E).
Where it is found
It is a warm temperate plant. It is mostly grown in the highlands in the tropics. In Papua New Guinea it is best above 1,100 m above sea level. It is frost resistant. The ideal temperature is 20-25°C. It forms heads best with temperatures 14-21°C. A pH of 5.0-6.0 is suitable. It suits hardiness zones 8-11.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Andorra, Asia, Australia, Austria, Bougainville, Britain, Cameroon, Canada, Caucasus, Central Africa, China, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, East Africa, East Timor, Europe, Finland, France, Georgia, Ghana, Guam, Hawaii, India, Indonesia, Italy, Korea, Malawi, Malta, Mediterranean, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Sikkim, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Switzerland, Tasmania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, USA, Vanuatu, West Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The central flower is cooked and eaten. The leaves are edible. The sprouted seeds are eaten.
It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. In Papua New Guinea, only grown is a few highland areas mostly for sale to Europeans.
Edible parts
Leaves, flowers, seeds sprouts, vegetable
How it is grown
It is normally grown from imported seed. The seeds are planted in a nursery then transplanted. They are translanted after 4-6 weeks. A spacing of 60 cm x 60 cm is suitable.
Plants are ready for harvest about 3 months after transplanting.
Its other names
Local names
Asparagus broccoli, Brocoli, Calabrese, Cape broccoli, Italian asparagus, Lu hua cai, Purple cauliflower, Sprouting broccoli