Scientific Name:
Brassica oleracea
(Capitata Group)
Pronunciation:
BRAS-ee-ka oh-lur-AY-see-uh
Common Name:
cabbage, head cabbage
Family Name:
Brassicaceae
Plant Type:
Annual (grown as), Biennial
Key ID Features:
Leaves formed in first year are basal, rounded to obovate, 12-20cm long x 10-15cm wide, sessile (or with petioles at least on outer whorls), clustered around a short stem to form a dense globular head; panicle supporting yellow to cream florets form on a stem with alternate leaves in the second year.
Habit:
Arching, Dense
Form:
Round, Vase
Texture:
Very coarse
Mature Height:
0.1 - 0.2m
Mature Spread:
0.3 - 0.6m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Europe, Garden origin (Mediterranean)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 7: (-18 to -12 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Humus rich, Well-drained
Landscape Uses:
Urban agriculture
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate, Basal
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Summer:
Green, Silver / Grayish
Shapes:
Obovate, Orbicular
Apices:
Emarginate or retuse, Rounded
Bases:
Sheathing
Margins:
Crenate, Entire, Undulate (wavy)
Inflorescence Type:
Raceme
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
4
Corolla Shape:
Cruciform
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Yellow
Flower Time at Peak:
Sep, Oct
Fruit Type:
Silique
Fruit Colour:
Green-yellow
Fruiting Time:
Oct, Nov
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green
Maintenance:
Low
Pest Susceptibility:
Caterpillar or cutworm, Leaf miner insect, Sawflies or horntails or ants
Specific Pests:
Rabbits, black rot
