Wild Turnip, Bird rape
Brassica rapa subsp. silvestris

Family: Brassicaceae

What it is like

A cabbage family herb. It grows for one or two years. The plant can grow to 70-100 cm tall. It has a thickened taproot. The stems branch. The stems do not have hairs. The leaves occur singly up the stem. The leaves are lobed. In young plants there are 'warts' on the leaf surface. The leaves initially develop in a ring. They have stalks and are covered in bristles. In older plants the leaves clasp the stem. The flowers are at the top of the plant. The flowers are 15 mm across. They have 4 bright yellow petals. The fruit is dry and long. It has a narrow beak.

There are about 30 Brassica species and many cultivated varieties.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Albania, Australia, Balkans, Britain, Bulgaria, Czech, Denmark, Europe, Finland, Germany, Greece, Himalayas, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Mediterranean, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Romania, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Tasmania, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The very young tender leaves can be cooked and eaten. The swollen roots can be cooked and eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Brassica rapa ssp. campestris;