Canola
Brassica napus
Family: Brassicaceae
What it is like
A cabbage family herb. It is an annual plant. It grows 1.5 m tall. It usually has a strong taproot. The stem is erect. The leaves have blue-green colour. The lower leaves have leaf stalks. The leaf blade is 5-20 cm long. The veins have some bristles. The upper leaves clasp the stem. Its blade is oblong or sword shaped. The petals are pale yellow. The pod is 5-10 cm long and slightly 4 angled. There is a beak 5-20 mm long which does not have seeds. The seeds are 1.5-2.5 mm wide. They are blue-black.
There are about 30 Brassica species and many cultivated varieties.
Where it is found
It is a warm temperate to subtropical plant. In Argentina it grows up to 1,500 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. Tasmania Herbarium.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Britain, Canada, Central America, Central Asia, Chile, China, Czech, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Europe, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Haiti, Hungary, India, Indochina, Italy, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Mediterranean, Myanmar, Nepal, Norfolk Island, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Poland, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sweden, Tasmania, Thailand, West Indies, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The seeds yield an edible oil. The leaves are cooked and eaten. The flower can be used like broccoli. The seeds can be sprouted and eaten in salads.
It is cultivated.
Edible parts
Leaves, oil, seeds, flowers
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Broccoli raab, Colza, Gongegh, Kaliarson, Maghi soricha shak, Navadna ogrščica, Nave, Pili saroson, Rape, Rapini, Rayo ko saag, Wild mustard, Yuchae