Chinese radish, Daikon, Oriental radish
Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus

Family: Brassicaceae

What it is like

A cabbage family plant like a large radish. It has a large fleshy root and deeply divided leaves. The taproot is long and white. It takes one or two years to complete its life cycle. The stems can be 20-100 cm high. The leaves near the base are long. They are divided and have coarse teeth. The leaves up the stem are simple and narrow. The flowers develop at the top. They are usually white with purple veins. The fruit are pods about 3-8 cm long and 1.25 cm across. They have a long tapering beak. There are 6-12 round seeds. These can be yellow or brown.

Where it is found

A temperate plant. It is more common in lowland areas in the tropics. It needs a rich loose fertile soil. It suits hardiness zones 6-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Cambodia, Canada, China, East Africa, East Timor, Fiji, FSM, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malawi, Malaysia, Nauru, North America, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pohnpei, SE Asia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tasmania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The roots are cooked and eaten. They are used in stir-fried dishes and soups. They can be pickled. The young leaves can be eaten cooked. The roots can also be shredded and eaten raw in salads. The young flowers are stir fried or added to soups. The young seedlings can be cooked like spinach. The peppery seeds can be used in salads and rice dishes. The pods can also be eaten.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. Rarely grown or eaten by village people in Papua New Guinea. It is seen at schools and institutions and sometimes in coastal markets.

Edible parts

Roots, leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds. A spacing of 15 cm apart in rows is suitable. Often plants are sown more thickly and seedlings are thinned out and eaten. It is possible to save seed from plants.

Plants are ready for harvesting about 50 days after planting.

Its other names

Local names

Cu cai trang, Labanos, Lao bo, Lo bok, Lobak, Loh-bak, Lo paak, Moo, Mooli, Muli, Mure, Phakkat-hua, Rabu

Synonyms

Probably now Raphanus sativus Daikon group;