Swede, Rutabaga, Swedish turnip, Yellow turnip
Brassica napus var. napobrassica

Family: Brassicaceae

What it is like

A cabbage family plant. The plant has a round tap root which mostly have yellow flesh. The outside is often of various colours. It has a "neck" near the ground level and this helps distinguish it from a turnip. The leaves have a waxy appearance.

There are about 30 Brassica species and many cultivated varieties.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. They are not common in the tropics. They do best in the highlands and in the dry season. It suits hardiness zones 8-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Britain, Canada, China, Cuba, East Africa, Europe, Finland, Isle of Man, Macedonia, Malawi, New Caledonia, North Africa, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Scandinavia, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sweden, Tasmania, USA, West Indies

How it is used for food

The tubers are cooked and eaten. The leaves can be eaten cooked.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. Not a very popular vegetable in Papua New Guinea.

Edible parts

Roots, vegetable, leaves

How it is grown

They are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Canadian turnip, Russian turnip

Synonyms

Probably now Brassica napus Napobrassica group;