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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Brassica rapa oleifera is a BIENNIAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft).
It is not frost tender. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Plant Habitats
Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves Oil Root
Edible Uses: Oil
Root - cooked[74]. Similar in taste to the garden turnip but a bit coarser[87], the young roots can be grated and used in salads whilst older roots are best cooked and used as a vegetable[K]. They are usually available from the autumn until early spring and can be left in the ground in all but the coldest winters[K]. Leaves - raw or cooked. A bit on the coarse side, though the young leaves can be added in moderation to salads whilst older leaves make an acceptable vegetable[K]. An edible oil is obtained from the seeds.
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
None known
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Green manure Oil
A good green manure crop[87]. Fast growing and quickly producing a good bulk, the leaves die down in severe winters.
Special Uses
Attracts Wildlife
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Succeeds in full sun in a well-drained fertile preferably alkaline soil[200]. Succeeds in any reasonable soil. A fairly deep rooted plant, stubble turnip is mainly grown as a feed for farm animals though it is also suitable for human consumption, especially if eaten when small[87, K]. It is fast growing plant[87], a crop of young roots can be harvested 8 weeks after sowing. The plant is very cold tolerant and is usually left in the ground all winter to be harvested as required. The plant is also grown for its oil-rich seeds. A good bee plant[108].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
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Plant Propagation
Seed - sow in situ from March to July. A late July sowing produces a worthwhile bulk to dig in during October.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Range
(Brassica rapa) Albania, Algeria, Bulgaria, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Morocco, North Caucasus, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Turkey, Yugoslavia.
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
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| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Alliaria petiolata | Garlic Mustard | Biennial | 1.0 |
5-8
| | LMH | FS | MWe | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Arabidopsis thaliana | Thale Cress, Mouseear cress | Annual/Biennial | 0.5 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | DM | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Arabis alpina | Alpine Rock Cress, Alpine rockcress | Perennial | 0.2 |
4-8
| | LM | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Arabis caucasica | Rock Cress, Wall Rockcress | Perennial | 0.2 |
4-9
| M | LMH | SN | DM | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Arabis hirsuta | Hairy rockcress, Mountain rockcress, Creamflower rockcress | Biennial/Perennial | 0.6 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | DM | 1 | 0 | |
| Arabis lyrata | Rock Cress, Kamchatka rockcress, Lyrate rockcress | Biennial/Perennial | 0.3 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | DM | 1 | 0 | |
| Arabis pendula | | Biennial | 0.9 |
-
| | LMH | FSN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Arabis sagittata | | Biennial/Perennial | 0.6 |
-
| | LMH | SN | DM | 1 | 0 | |
| Arabis serrata | | Perennial | 0.3 |
6-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Armoracia rusticana | Horseradish, Red Cole | Perennial | 0.7 |
4-9
| F | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Aubrieta deltoidea | Aubretia, Lilacbush, False Rockcress | Perennial | 0.2 |
4-9
| M | LM | SN | DM | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Aurinia saxatilis | Golden Alyssum, Basket of gold | Perennial | 0.3 |
4-10
| M | LMH | N | DM | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Barbarea australis | | Biennial/Perennial | 0.5 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | |
| Barbarea orthoceras | American Yellowrocket | Perennial | 0.5 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Barbarea stricta | Small-flowered winter-cress | Biennial | 0.8 |
3-10
| F | LMH | N | MWe | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Barbarea verna | Land Cress, Early yellowrocket | Biennial | 0.3 |
5-9
| | LMH | FSN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Barbarea vulgaris | Yellow Rocket, Garden yellowrocket | Perennial | 0.4 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Brassica balearica | | Perennial | 0.0 |
-
| | LMH | N | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Brassica carinata | Abyssinian Cabbage | Annual | 1.0 |
9-12
| F | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Brassica cretica | Mustard | Perennial | 1.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Brassica elongata | Elongated mustard | Biennial/Perennial | 0.9 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Brassica juncea | Brown Mustard | Annual | 0.8 |
6-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Brassica juncea crispifolia | Curled Mustard | Annual | 0.3 |
6-9
| F | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Brassica juncea foliosa | Leaf Mustard | Annual | 0.3 |
6-9
| F | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Brassica juncea integrifolia crispifolia | Curled Mustard | Annual | 0.3 |
6-10
| F | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Brassica juncea integrifolia rugosa | Head Mustard | Annual | 0.6 |
6-10
| F | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Brassica juncea integrifolia strumata | Large Petiole Mustard | Annual | 0.8 |
6-10
| F | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Brassica juncea integrifolia subintegrifolia | Leaf Mustard | Annual | 0.3 |
6-10
| F | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Brassica juncea multiceps | Green In The Snow | Annual | 0.4 |
6-9
| F | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Brassica juncea napiformis | Root Mustard | Annual | 0.8 |
6-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 2 | 2 |
|
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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
(DC.)Metzg.
Botanical References
74
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