Brassica oleraceae

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• cabbage
• kale
• wild cabbage
• Chou Mollier
• Haria
• Kohlrabi
• Marrow Stem Kale
• Niko
• Puka
• Rearea
• Red Kale
• Romanesco broccoli
• black cabbage
• borecole
• broccoli
• brussels sprouts
• cauliflower
• collard greens
• wild mustard

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Brassica oleracea f. rubra
• Brassica oleracea subvar. sabauda
• Brassica sylvestris
• Brassica capitata
• Brassica oleracea convar. costata
• Brassica oleracea var. conica
• Brassica oleracea convar. bullata
• Brassica florida
• Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra
• Brassica oleracea subvar. cymosa-albida
• Brassica oleracea var. medullosa
• Brassica oleracea subvar. pinnata
• Brassica oleracea subvar. nepenthiformis
• Brassica laciniata
• Brassica millecapitata
• Sinapis brassicata
• Brassica oleracea var. sublaciniata
• Brassica oleracea subvar. versicolor
• Brassica oleracea subvar. violacea
• Brassica oleracea f. violascens
• Brassica oleracea var. viridis
• Brassica oleracea subvar. viridis
• Brassica oleracea subvar. praecox
• Brassica oleracea var. subrubens
• Brassica oleracea var. sylvestris
• Brassica oleracea var. rubra
• Brassica oleracea var. theiusa
• Brassica oleracea var. sphaerica
• Brassica oleracea subvar. sphaerica
• Brassica oleracea subvar. turionensis
• Brassica oleracea var. ulmensis
• Brassica oleracea var. veris
• Brassica oleracea var. glomerosa
• Brassica oleracea var. selinoides
• Napus oleracea
• Brassica oleracea subvar. major
• Brassica oleracea subvar. albida
• Brassica oleracea var. bardovicensis
• Brassica oleracea var. plumacea
• Brassica oleracea subvar. minor
• Brassica oleracea subvar. cymosa
• Brassica oleracea convar. capitata
• Brassica gemmifera
• Brassica oleracea convar. caulorapa
• Brassica oleracea subvar. cymosa-violacea
• Brassica oleracea convar. fruticosa
• Brassica fimbriata
• Brassica oleracea convar. acephala
• Brassica oleracea proles gongylodes
• Raphanus brassica-officinalis
• Brassica oleracea subvar. humilis
• Rapa rotunda
• Brassica oleracea var. costata
• Brassica oleracea proles viridis
• Brassica oleracea var. chlorusa
• Brassica oleracea subvar. vulgaris
• Brassica oleracea subvar. compressa
• Brassica oleracea subvar. procerior
• Brassica oleracea subvar. brumalis
• Brassica oleracea var. longa
• Brassica oleracea subvar. crassa
• Brassica oleracea var. loudonii
• Brassica oleracea subvar. crispa
• Brassica oleracea var. luteola
• Brassica oleracea proles capitata
• Brassica oleracea var. macrocephala
• Brassica oleracea subvar. alba-praecox
• Brassica oleracea var. macrogongyla
• Brassica oleracea subvar. parva-praecox
• Brassica oleracea var. magniportana
• Brassica oleracea subvar. conica
• Brassica oleracea var. major
• Brassica oleracea subvar. subacuta
• Brassica oleracea var. maritima
• Brassica oleracea subvar. maxima
• Brassica oleracea var. media
• Brassica oleracea subvar. rubra-minor
• Brassica oleracea var. microcephala
• Brassica oleracea subvar. crispa
• Brassica oleracea var. micropodium
• Brassica oleracea subvar. major
• Brassica oleracea var. italica
• Brassica rupestris var. gongylodes
• Brassica oleracea var. jodocephala
• Brassica rupestris subsp. gongylodes
• Brassica oleracea var. jodogongyla
• Brassica oleracea subsp. capitata
• Brassica oleracea var. kashmiriana
• Brassica oleracea var. laciniata
• Brassica oleracea subvar. laciniata
• Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera
• Brassica oleracea convar. gemmifera
• Brassica oleracea subsp. gemmifera
• Brassica oleracea var. germanorum
• Brassica oleracea subsp. caulorapa
• Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes
• Brassica oleracea var. grangei
• Brassica oleracea subsp. fruticosa
• Brassica oleracea var. herbacea
• Brassica oleracea subsp. acephala
• Brassica oleracea subvar. communis
• Brassica oleracea var. aberdeenea
• Brassica oleracea stirps sylvestris
• Brassica oleracea stirps acephala
• Brassica oleracea subvar. alba
• Brassica oleracea var. albiflora
• Brassica oleracea var. aloides
• Brassica oleracea var. asparagoides
• Brassica oleracea subvar. aurata
• Brassica oleracea var. ardeina
• Brassica oleracea stirps capitata
• Brassica oleracea var. atrorubens
• Brassica oleracea subvar. rubra
• Brassica oleracea var. aurata
• Brassica oleracea f. azurea
• Brassica oleracea stirps bullata
• Brassica oleracea var. acephala
• Brassica oleracea var. capitata
• Brassica oleracea subsp. gongylodes
• Brassica oleracea var. cauliflora
• Brassica oleracea stirps caulorapa
• Brassica oleracea var. chamaegongyla
• Brassica oleracea var. chamjodusa
• Brassica oleracea var. culinarum
• Brassica oleracea subvar. cymosa
• Brassica oleracea var. depressa
• Brassica oleracea var. dinojodusa
• Brassica oleracea f. dissecta
• Brassica oleracea var. elliptica
• Brassica oleracea var. erythrobotrys
• Brassica oleracea f. exaltata
• Brassica oleracea var. fimbriata
• Brassica caulorapa
• Brassica campestris subsp. sylvestris
• Brassica capitala
• Brassica cephala
• Brassica cretica convar. italica
• Brassica alboglabra
• Brassica arborea
• Brassica bullata
• Brassica suttoniana
• Brassica quercifolia
• Brassica rubra
• Brassica oleracea var. procera
• Brassica oleracea var. protobotrys
• Brassica oleracea var. protojodusa
• Brassica oleracea subvar. purpurascens
• Brassica oleracea f. pyramidalis
• Brassica oleracea var. pyramidula
• Brassica oleracea var. quercifolia
• Brassica oleracea var. ramosa
• Brassica oleracea var. oblonga
• Brassica oleracea var. obovata
• Brassica oleracea var. opsibotrys
• Brassica oleracea var. opsigongyla
• Brassica oleracea var. opsjodusa
• Brassica oleracea var. palmifolia
• Brassica oleracea var. pentovillea
• Brassica oleracea var. phaeusa
• Brassica oleracea var. sabauda
• Brassica oleracea subvar. sabellica
• Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
• Brassica oleracea f. salinaria
• Brassica oleracea var. schizogongyla
• Brassica oleracea var. scotica
• Brassica oleracea var. selenisia
• Brassica oleracea f. selenisia
• Brassica oleracea var. semiclausa
• Brassica oleracea var. serotissima
• Brassica oleracea var. sibirica
• Brassica oleracea var. flandrica
• Brassica oleracea var. percrispa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Brassicales and the family Brassicaceae. Finally, its taxonomic classification concludes within the genus Brassica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide range of distribution across several key regions of Europe. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing throughout Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward Middle Europe, its presence is well-established in Belgium. The species also occupies significant territories within Germany. Finally, its geographical reach extends into the central landscapes of Czechia-Slovakia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Brassica oleracea is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution and a preference for specific coastal environments. This species is capable of thriving across a wide vertical gradient, ranging from sea level at 0 m AMSL to a maximum elevation of 2620 m AMSL. Its habitat preferences include coastal regions, where it has adapted to the unique environmental pressures of maritime zones.

Elevational range max:

2620 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Coastal

Life history

The life history of Brassica oleracea is characterized by a flexible developmental strategy, primarily functioning as a biennial plant, though its lifecycle can vary between annual and perennial stages depending on environmental conditions and specific cultivars. In terms of its botanical architecture, the species exhibits dual life form classifications: it can manifest as a therophyte, completing its cycle through the production of seeds, and also exhibits traits of a chamaephyte, where the buds are located close to the soil surface. Regarding its foliage and seasonal persistence, the plant is categorized as evergreen, maintaining its vegetative structures throughout various stages of its development.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

chamaephyte

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

biennial

Morphology

The morphology of Brassica oleracea is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, functioning as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber or liana. It is a terrestrial species that grows independently, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. The plant exhibits a variable stature, with a minimum height of 0.4 m, a mean height of approximately 0.76675 m, and a maximum potential height reaching up to 3 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

0.76675 m

Plant height min:

0.4 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Brassica oleracea is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic approach to carbon fixation and energy production. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous lifestyle and does not possess the ability to fix nitrogen, relying instead on soil nutrients for its developmental needs. Its leaf morphology plays a critical role in its physiological efficiency, featuring a lanceolate form with a mean leaf size of 27.2275 cm². The leaf dimensions show significant variability, with a mean leaf length of 17.25 cm (ranging from a minimum of 4.5 cm to a maximum of 40 cm) and a mean leaf width of 10 cm (ranging from a minimum of 3.5 cm to a maximum of 7 cm). Furthermore, the plant does not exhibit succulence, maintaining a standard leaf structure with a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 211.13 cm²/g, reflecting its resource allocation strategy regarding leaf thickness and surface area.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

lanceolate

Leaf length max:

40 cm

Leaf length mean:

17.25 cm

Leaf length min:

4.5 cm

Leaf size mean:

27.2275 cm²

Leaf width max:

7 cm

Leaf width mean:

10 cm

Leaf width min:

3.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

211.13 cm²/g

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

Reproduction in Brassica oleracea is primarily sexual, characterized by bisexual flowers that facilitate efficient propagation. The flowering period typically begins in April and extends through August, with the plant displaying distinctive yellow flowers that range in length from 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm. The pollination syndrome is biotic, relying heavily on insects, specifically bees, to ensure successful fertilization, although self-fertilization is also present. Following pollination, the plant develops dry, capsule-type fruits (specifically siliquae) that exhibit dehiscence. These fruits vary in size, with a mean length of 7.5 cm (ranging from 5 cm to 9 cm) and a mean width of 0.45 cm (ranging from 0.3 cm to 0.5 cm). Each fruit is highly productive, containing more than 1,000 seeds. The seeds themselves have a mean mass of approximately 0.003269 g (ranging from 0.0023 g to 0.00719 g), a mean length of 55 mm, a mean width of 3.5 mm, and a consistent mean volume of 2.6 mm³. Dispersal is achieved through an autochorous syndrome, where seeds are spread via self-dispersal mechanisms. No asexual reproduction methods were observed in this species.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flower colour :

yellow

Flower length max:

2.5 cm

Flower length min:

1.5 cm

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

9 cm

Fruit length mean:

7.5 cm

Fruit length min:

5 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width max:

0.5 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.45 cm

Fruit width min:

0.3 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length mean:

55 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00719 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0032691636 g

Seed mass min:

0.0023 g

Seed volume max:

2.6 mm³

Seed width max:

2.3 mm

Seed width mean:

3.5 mm

Seed width min:

1.5 mm

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Brassica oleracea has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Biotechnology progress

Chemicals

Brassica oleracea has 277 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include sulforaphane, Flavonoids, Glucoraphanin, Glucosinolates, SINAPIC ACID.

sulforaphane

1. Dr. Duke
2. Academic medicine : journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges
3. Seminars in cancer biology
4. Respiratory research
5. Current medicinal chemistry

Flavonoids

1. Journal of pharmacy & bioallied sciences
2. F1000Research
3. Current medicinal chemistry

Glucoraphanin

1. Dr. Duke
2. World journal of gastroenterology
3. Molecular plant

Glucosinolates

1. Dr. Duke
2. Current medicinal chemistry
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

SINAPIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke
2. Natural product research
3. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

Anthocyanins

1. Biotechnology progress
2. Physiology and molecular biology of plants : an international journal of functional plant biology

CD

1. RSC advances
2. Biometals : an international journal on the role of metal ions in biology, biochemistry, and medicine

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke
2. Natural product research

Flavonoid

1. Food chemistry
2. Natural product research

Glucobrassicin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Princess Takamatsu symposia

Activities

Brassica oleracea has 677 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antiviral, Anticoagulant.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. F1000Research
3. Archives of Razi Institute
4. Current topics in medicinal chemistry
5. International journal of biological macromolecules

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Archives of Razi Institute
3. Natural product research
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of pharmaceutical analysis
3. Current topics in medicinal chemistry
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. Current topics in medicinal chemistry
3. International journal of biological macromolecules

Anticoagulant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry

Antifungal

1. International journal of biological macromolecules
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antihypertensive

1. Dr. Duke
2. Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry

Antimicrobial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Cancer-Preventive

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecular plant

Conditions

Brassica oleracea has 15 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, ER stress, Liver cancer.

Cancer

1. Seminars in cancer biology
2. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
3. Molecular plant

Candida albicans

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Candida glabrata

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Er stress

1. Molecular and cellular biochemistry

Liver cancer

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Aflatoxin b1

1. Journal of food protection

Breast cancer

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Obesity

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Osteoporosis

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Osteoporotic fractures

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Brassica oleracea has 5 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Extracts, anthocyanin, aqueous methanolic extracts, extract, extracts.

Extracts

1. Microbial pathogenesis

Anthocyanin

1. Biotechnology progress

Aqueous methanolic extracts

1. Natural product research

Extract

1. Metabolic brain disease

Extracts

1. Ethiopian journal of health sciences