Brassica oleracea is a species of plant that belongs in the mustard or cabbage family (Brassicaceae).
Although they may appear like different types of plants, the cruciferous vegetables broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, collard greens, gai lan, and savoy are all cultivars of wild cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. oleracea).
Wild cabbage is native to the western and southern parts of Europe where it thrives along limestone sea cliffs due to its tolerance of salt and lime, and lack of competition for the same space.
The chalk cliffs along both sides the English Channel in areas such as Kent County (home of the city of Dover) in the UK and Normandy, France are its preferred habitat.
In its wild state, B. oleracea is a biennial plant and has developed several adaptations to help it survive in harsher environments.
A thick rosette of large leaves form in the first year that are fleshier than other members of the Brassica genus. These leaves help it store nutrients and water in less than ideal growing locations.
It uses this stored energy and nutrients to grow a flower spike 3-7 feet tall (1-2 meters) that hosts clusters of yellow flowers.
B. oleracea was domesticated thousands of years ago. The details of its cultivation prior to the Hellenistic period are unclear, and at this time it was already an established food crop with known smooth-leaved, curly-leaved, and a wild varieties available.
Since then, it has been cultivated and bred to produce many different cultivars that vary wildly in appearance, but all have the same four-petaled flowers.
Seven major groups comprise the cultivars of B. oleracea according to their developmental forms:
The Acephala (non-heading) group is most like natural wild cabbage in shape and appearance.
The following are the most common cultivated varieties:
| Cultivar | Taxonomy | |
|---|---|---|
| Broccoflower |  | Brassica oleracea var. botrytis x italica |
| Broccoli |  | Brassica oleracea var. italica |
| Broccoli di Torbole |  | Brassica oleracea var. botrytis |
| Broccolini |  | Brassica oleracea var. italica × alboglabra |
| Brussels sprouts |  | Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera |
| Cabbage |  | Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. alba |
| Cauliflower |  | Brassica oleracea var. botrytis |
| Collard greens |  | Brassica oleracea var. viridis |
| Cone cabbage |  | Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. acuta |
| Gai lan (Kai-lan) |  | Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra |
| Jersey cabbage |  | Brassica oleracea var. longata |
| Kale |  | Brassica oleracea var. viridis |
| Kohlrabi |  | Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes |
| Lacinato kale |  | Brassica oleracea var. palmifolia |
| Marrow-stem kale |  | Brassica oleracea var. medullosa |
| Ornamental kale |  | Brassica oleracea var. acephala |
| Perpetual kale |  | Brassica oleracea var. ramosa |
| Red cabbage |  | Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. rubra |
| Romanesco broccoli |  | Brassica oleracea var. botrytis |
| Savoy Cabbage |  | Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. sabauda |
| Tronchuda kale |  | Brassica oleracea var. costata |
| Wild cabbage |  | Brassica oleracea var. oleracea |
So if you’re ready to get growing with some of these crunchy crucifers, there are plenty of guides down below:
© Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Jersey cabbage and marrow-stem cabbage photos via Alamy Stock. All others via Shutterstock.
Broccoli is one of those veggies that offers so much more than we often give it credit for. This staple crop can be harvested for its large heads, as well as its young tender leaves and side shoots. Read more now to learn how to harvest and store broccoli, and pick up some delicious recipe ideas too.
Cabbage maggots are tiny insects in the soil, and often by the time the plants show symptoms, it is too late to save them. Knowing what to look for lets you monitor for them and identify their presence in time to implement control measures. Read on to learn how to identify and control these pernicious pests.
Broccoli isn’t the easiest cruciferous vegetable to cultivate. It needs cool weather and a host of other favorable growing conditions. Sometimes, instead of one large, compact head, multiple small ones called buttons develop. Learn why this happens, and what measures you can take to avoid it, here on Gardener’s Path.
Growing broccoli can be a challenge. Our aim is to produce flavorful, tight heads, but sometimes the result is loose, bitter ones and huge disappointment. Join us to learn the reasons for less than ideal outcomes, and how to avoid them, as we discuss broccoli with loose, bitter heads. Read more now.
Is there a difference between broccolini and broccoli rabe? Or are they the same? These two veggies look a lot alike and have similar names. But they are different – in their origins, how they grow in the garden, and how you’ll want to use them in the kitchen! To learn what distinguishes these two veggies, keep reading.
Curious how much space to leave between each of the kale plants in your garden? By spacing these leafy green vegetables just right, it will be easy to care for and harvest your crop throughout your growing season. To find out the best spacing recommendations for your kale varieties and harvesting plans, read more now.
Cauliflower is one of the more difficult cool-weather crops to grow. If climate, soil, and moisture conditions are not ideal, the curd may not mature as it should. Sometimes, instead of being smooth, it looks fuzzy. Learn what causes this, how to avoid it, and if the affected crop is edible. Read more now.
Cauliflower can be a challenging cool-weather crop to grow in the home garden. Sometimes, developing curds that should be snowy white take on a purplish hue. Learn what causes this phenomenon, how to avoid it, and what it means in terms of crop quality. We’re discussing purplish cauliflower, here on Gardener’s Path!
If you’re looking for a cool weather crop, you can’t beat growing broccoli. It’s versatile and delicious, an excellent vegetable that’s perfect to enjoy at any time of day. Not sure which cultivar to choose? Read on for 13 varieties of one of nature’s healthiest choices for the table, now on Gardener’s Path.
Choosing to grow kale in the home garden is an excellent choice. Who doesn’t want a fresh patch of healthy leafy greens to pick from, right in the backyard? But knowing how much sunshine per day this cruciferous vegetable requires? That’s another question. To find out how much sun to provide your kale, read more now.
A vegetable garden favorite, kale is a reliable producer of healthy leafy greens. But is this cruciferous vegetable an annual or a perennial? We’ll have to go back to the birds and the bees to fully understand kale’s life cycle. To find out when to expect flowering and seed heads from your kale plants, keep on reading.
Are you growing brussels sprouts in your garden and wondering how best to harvest them? There’s nothing better than a homegrown sprout, fresh off the stalk. Learn when to pick them for the sweetest flavor and the different ways to go about it – plus some maintenance tips to ensure you get the best crop. Read more now.
Tender, crunchy, and sweet with a mildly peppery flavor, broccolini is a hybrid broccoli that is praised for its thin edible flowering shoots which can be harvested multiple times a season. Learn how to grow broccolini in your garden, the best varieties to choose, and enjoy this tasty vegetable all season long.
Cauliflower is a cool-season crop that can be challenging to cultivate. Did you know that some varieties require your intervention to be able to produce unblemished heads? The technique is called blanching, and it protects the developing heads from sun damage. Learn when and how to do it. Read on for easy instructions.
Whether you enjoy it in sauerkraut, soup, or coleslaw, cabbage is a versatile addition to your vegetable patch. With different colors, textures, and sizes there are lots of varieties to choose from. Learn more about the different types of cabbage and choose the perfect one for your garden. Read more now.
Flowering kale is an excellent choice when you want to add vibrant color and texture to cool weather gardens. Read on for easy cultivation and care instructions, a list of varieties to choose from, and recommended companion plantings. Join us as we explore growing ornamental kale and add some color to your garden.
Planting kale in your vegetable garden? You’ll want to know the best common companion plants for this garden veggie. If so, you have come to the right place. Learn which plants will attract beneficial insects, repel pests, provide ground cover, and act as nitrogen fixers for this garden staple. Read more now.
Kale is a frost hardy annual that’s grown for its nutritious, flavorful leaves in fantastic colors and fanciful shapes. And it’s just as easy to grow in pots or containers as in the ground. Learn how to plant up a few pots for the kitchen garden right now, then enjoy its beauty and health benefits well into winter.