Violet Cabbage

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Violet Cabbage
• violet-cabbage

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Diplotaxis arvensis
• Turritis arvensis
• Diplotaxis brassiciformis
• Erucastrum decandollii
• Brassica purpurea
• Eruca arvensis
• Moricandia longirostris
• Hesperis arvensis
• Moricandia arvensis var. robusta
• Moricandia arvensis var. fabariifolia
• Moricandia arvensis var. garamantum
• Crantzia frutescens
• Moricandia arvensis var. longirostris

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further organized into the order Brassicales and the family Brassicaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Moricandia, specifically the species Moricandia arvensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific presence across several regions of the European continent. In Middle Europe, its distribution can be observed within the borders of Germany. Moving toward the Mediterranean, it is found throughout various parts of Southwestern Europe. Specifically, this includes the islands of the Baleares and Corse. Furthermore, its range extends across the mainland territories of France and Portugal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Moricandia arvensis is characterized by its ability to thrive across a broad altitudinal gradient, occupying diverse topographical niches. It is found within an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum altitude of 1100 m AMSL. This wide vertical distribution allows the species to inhabit various environmental conditions, ranging from low-lying coastal or alluvial plains to more temperate mid-elevation terrains. Its presence across these varying elevations suggests a degree of adaptability to different temperature regimes and atmospheric pressures, enabling it to colonize a variety of habitats within its geographical range.

Elevational range max:

1100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Moriandica arvensis is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist across multiple growing seasons. In terms of its biological structure and survival strategy, it is classified as a therophyte, a life form defined by completing its primary developmental stages via seeds that remain dormant during unfavorable conditions. This specific life form is further categorized under the morphological classifications of both therophyte and therophyte, indicating its tendency to die down to a seed stage at the end of each growing period.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Moricandia arvensis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This plant typically functions as a self-supporting species, rather than acting as a liana, vine, or obligatory climber. It exhibits a terrestrial habit, existing as an independent organism without parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of physical stature, the plant maintains a relatively low profile, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 0.8 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.8 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Moricandia arvensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic adaptation for carbon fixation in many temperate plant species. The plant exhibits notable succulent qualities, which likely aid in moisture retention and osmotic regulation. Its foliage is morphologically defined by an obovate leaf form, with leaf dimensions varying significantly; individual leaves typically measure between 2 cm and 7.5 cm in length, while their width ranges from a minimum of 0.7 cm to a maximum of 5 cm.

Leaf form :

obovate

Leaf length max:

7.5 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.7 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

yes

Reproduction

The reproduction of Moricandia arvensis is characterized by a distinct flowering period that typically commences in January and concludes in June, though the timing can be variable. The plant produces violet-colored flowers that measure between 2 cm and 2.2 cm in length. Following pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of a pod, which ranges in length from 3 cm to a maximum of 7.5 cm and maintains a width between 0.2 cm and 0.3 cm. These fruits are dehiscence-type, meaning they split open to release the seeds. The seeds themselves are quite small, with a mean mass of 0.00082 g, though individual seed weights can vary from a minimum of 0.00022 g to a maximum of 0.00196 g.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Flower colour :

violet

Flower length max:

2.2 cm

Flower length min:

2 cm

Flowering time :

Jan

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit length max:

7.5 cm

Fruit length min:

3 cm

Fruit type :

pod

Fruit width max:

0.3 cm

Fruit width min:

0.2 cm

Seed mass max:

0.00196 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00082 g

Seed mass min:

0.00022 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Moricandia arvensis 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 flower.

Flower

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Moricandia arvensis has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Condensed Tannins, Flavonoids.

Condensed Tannins

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Flavonoids

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Activities

Moricandia arvensis has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial.

Antioxidant

1. Journal of natural products
2. Chemistry & biodiversity

Antibacterial

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Preparations

Moricandia arvensis has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extract.

Aqueous extract

1. Chemistry & biodiversity