Scientific Name:
Brassica oleracea
(Acephala Group)
Pronunciation:
BRAS-ee-ka oh-lur-AY-see-uh
Common Name:
kale, collard
Family Name:
Brassicaceae
Plant Type:
Annual (grown as), Biennial
Key ID Features:
Leaves basal in first year, lobed, margin crenate and wavy, highly variable with colourful ornamental cvs. that can be very showy throughout the spring and fall; racemes of yellow florets in second year.
Habit:
Dense
Form:
Round
Texture:
Medium - coarse
Mature Height:
0.2 - 0.4m
Mature Spread:
0.1 - 0.3m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
Europe, Garden origin
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 7: (-18 to -12 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Bedding plant, Container planting, Fall interest, Urban agriculture
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple, Lobed
Arrangement:
Alternate, Spiraled, Basal
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Summer:
Red, White or red variegation; often creamy colours.
Colour in Fall:
Pink, Purple, Red, White
Shapes:
Ovate
Apices:
Rounded
Margins:
Crenate, Undulate (wavy)
Additional Info:
Leaves variegated
Inflorescence Type:
Panicle
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
4
Corolla Shape:
Cruciform
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Yellow
Flower Time at Peak:
May, Jun
Fruit Type:
Silique
Fruit Colour:
Yellow, Green, Brown
Fruiting Time:
Jul, Sep
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green, Red, Brown
Propagation:
Seed
Maintenance:
Low
Pest Susceptibility:
Aphids or adelgids, Bacterial leaf spot, Beetles or weevils, Caterpillar or cutworm, Fungal leaf spot, Leaf miner insect, Mold, Slugs or snails, Thrips
Specific Pests:
Course(s):
- CLT Training
- HORT 1155
- HORT 1193/1293
Location(s):
- (CGW) Community Garden West
- (FEA) Field lab Equipment Area