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 Brassica species. 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.
If you have a vegetable patch full of fabulous green broccoli foliage, but there’s not a single head in sight, don’t despair. There are various reasons why broccoli fails to form heads, and there’s a lot you can do about it. Read on for our essential tips, and learn all you need to know to grow your best broccoli yet.
Have you had trouble with your kale plants wilting, and wondered how to end this floppy foible? Check out our complete guide to preventing this droopy problem. You’ll learn about timing, fertilization, water requirements and more. And soon you’ll rejoice at seeing your veggies standing strong. Read more now.
Turnip mosaic virus affects cabbage and a broad range of cole crops along with many other types of plants. Weeds serve as reservoirs for the disease, which is spread by aphids. Read on to learn how to control this potentially devastating disease.
Cabbage has been grown around the world for centuries for good reason. With so many different ways to cook, preserve, and eat cabbage, this nutrient rich crop is a must for every garden. Read more to learn how to grow and maintain cabbage plants.
Although slugs can be highly serious pests of cabbage and other cruciferous veggies, there are a variety of techniques that you can use to control these land mollusks. Read on to learn a number of ways to banish slugs from your garden. You have options ranging from barriers to traps to predatory slugs and bait.
White spot fungi are selective in the crucifers they infect and cause disease on the leaves of turnip, rutabaga, canola, mustard, radish, and horseradish. The fungi overwinter on volunteer plants and cruciferous weeds. Read on to learn how to control white spot fungus on crucifers.
Grow cauliflower for a healthy garden-to-table experience. Choose white snowballs, Italian greens and purples, and orange “cheddars.” Packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber, raw and cooked dishes showcase its mild, sweet-to-nutty flavor. Find the best varieties and where to buy them, here on Gardener’s Path.
Cauliflower has a reputation for being a difficult cool-weather crop to grow, but don’t let that stop you. With an understanding of temperature and watering needs, you’ll soon be cultivating white, purple, orange, and green varieties packed with antioxidants and vitamin C. Read on to learn how, here on Gardener’s Path.
Despite a reputation for being tricky, you can certainly grow Brussels sprouts in your home garden, as long as you follow a few guidelines. Learn how now at Gardener’s Path.
Don’t be intimidated by its strange appearance. Kohlrabi is the perfect aboveground root for beginning gardeners and it’s delicious, too. Learn the best planting, harvesting, and storage tips now with our growing guide on Gardener’s Path.
Kale is more than a health trend. It is a healthy, delicious, and easy-to-grow staple for most modern gardens. Learn how to get the best yield from this hearty grower with our guide 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.