Image: Wikimedia Commons (See link for license)
TurnipπΌ
Brassica rapa var. rapa
γ«γ
A winter annual in the Brassicaceae. This is the 'suzuna' of Japan's seven herbs of spring. Native to the Mediterranean and Central Asia, grown for its swollen hypocotyl and taproot. Bears yellow 4-petaled flowers in a raceme. Belongs to the same species (*Brassica rapa*) as napa cabbage and komatsuna.
Identification Points
- βRounded, swollen white or purple hypocotyl and root
- βRosette leaves with hairs (coarser than napa cabbage)
- βYellow 4-petaled flowers in a typical Brassicaceae raceme
Habitat
Cultivated (fields)
Season
March to May (flowers); autumn to winter (harvest)
Phylogenetic Positionγ’γγ©γη§ β
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core eudicots > Brassicales > Brassicaceae
Divergence Era
Late Cretaceous to Paleogene
Evolution Notes
The Brassicaceae evolved glucosinolates as a chemical defense; grating or chewing releases pungent isothiocyanates via an enzymatic reaction. Turnip, napa cabbage, komatsuna, and nozawana are all varieties of the same species (*Brassica rapa*) β humans have bred a remarkable diversity of vegetables from a single species.
View on evolution timeline βSources & References
AI-generated, needs verification