Wild turnip
Brassica rapa

Family: Brassicaceae

What it is like

A cabbage family herb. It is an erect annual plant. It has a round white fleshed taproot. It is often tinged purple. The leaves are divided and have hairs. Where the leaves join the root it is not raised into a "neck". There are Asian or more tropical varieties. These will produce seed in warmer places. The wild form is a thin plant with leaves that clasp the stem. The pods are 4-6.5 cm long and have seedless beaks 2-3.2 cm long.

There are about 30 Brassica species and many cultivated varieties.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It will grow in both the lowlands and highlands in the tropics but does best in the highlands between 1700 and 2600 m altitude. In Java it can be grown above 1,000 m above sea level. It is frost resistant. A temperature of 9-16°C is best. Also short daylength and cool weather are important. It grows in Nepal to 2500 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. Tasmania Herbarium. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Britain, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ethiopia, Europe (country/location of origin), Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, Indochina, Iraq, Ireland, Korea, Madagascar, Mexico, Middle East, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Tasmania, Thailand, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, West Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The swollen root is cooked and eaten. The leaves can be eaten. The seeds can be ground to a powder and used as a seasoning.

Edible parts

Roots, leaves, seeds, flowers

How it is grown

It is grown from imported seed. In the lowlands they are best grown in the shade. Plants are spaced 10-15 cm apart. This can be achieved by thinning out plants.

The roots are ready after 8-10 weeks. They need to be harvested when young to avoid becoming hard and fibrous.

Its other names

Local names

Colza, Couve-naveira, Gantemula, Mortaga, Mostacilla, Mostarda, Mostaza, Nabica, Nabo blanco, Nabo salvaje, Nabo silvestre, Navina, Naviza, Ngedon, Nuucu, Pata de cuervo, Rave, Repollo silvestre, Shita, Tenjilo, Xartala, Yuyo

Synonyms

See Brassica rapa var. rapa Brassica campestris var. rapa; Brassica rapa var. campestris (L.) Peterm.;