Brassica rapa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brassica rapa |
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B. rapa
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B. campestris L. |
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Brassica rapa is a very useful plant. It is known by many names, like turnip, turnip rape, fast plants, field mustard, or turnip mustard. This plant is grown all over the world for different reasons.
People grow Brassica rapa for its leaves, roots, and even its seeds. For example, some types are eaten as leafy greens, like mizuna and napa cabbage. Other types are grown for their roots, such as the common turnip. Its seeds can also be used to make oil.
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About Brassica rapa
Brassica rapa is a type of plant that belongs to the Brassicaceae family. This family also includes other well-known vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, and kale. Many plants in this family are important for food.
This plant was first described by a famous scientist named Carl Linnaeus in 1753. He gave it the scientific name Brassica rapa. This name helps scientists around the world know exactly which plant they are talking about.
Different Uses of Brassica rapa
Brassica rapa is amazing because it can be used in so many ways. Different parts of the plant are harvested for food. This makes it a very versatile crop for farmers.
Leafy Greens
Some types of Brassica rapa are grown especially for their leaves. These leaves are eaten as vegetables. Examples include mizuna, which has a slightly peppery taste, and napa cabbage, which is often used in Asian cooking. These leafy greens are packed with vitamins and nutrients.
Root Vegetables
The most famous use of Brassica rapa is probably the turnip. The turnip is the root of the plant, and it is usually round and white or purple. Turnips can be eaten raw, cooked, or added to stews and soups. They are a good source of fiber and vitamin C.
Oilseeds
The seeds of Brassica rapa can be pressed to make oil. This oil is sometimes called "Polish Canola." However, most of the oil known as canola comes from other related plants, like Brassica napus and Brassica juncea. The oil from Brassica rapa seeds is used for cooking and other purposes.
Images for kids
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Illustration of Brassica rapa from the Japanese agricultural encyclopedia Seikei Zusetsu
See also
In Spanish: Brassica rapa para niños
