Raphanus

taxobox
name = "Raphanus"


image_caption = Red radish
regnum = Plantae
unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
unranked_classis = Eudicots
unranked_ordo = Rosids
ordo = Brassicales
familia = Brassicaceae
genus = "Raphanus"
genus_authority = L.
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = "Raphanus caudatus"
"Raphanus raphanistrum"
"Raphanus sativus"
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"Raphanus" is a genus within the flowering plant family Brassicaceae. Two or three species are currently classified in "Raphanus". They include the cultivated radish, "Raphanus sativus" and the common wild radish or jointed charlock, "R. raphanistrum". Some authors accept the podding or rattail radish, "R. caudatus" as a third member of the genus, while others treat it as a variety of "R. sativus". Substantial numbers of other species in the genus have been proposed at various times, but almost all are currently regarded as varieties of "R. sativus", while a few are treated as varieties of "R. raphanistrum" or are not accepted as well-described species. Examples are "R. raphanistrum ssp. landra" and "R. raphanistrum ssp. maritimus" (Sea Radish).

"Raphanus" species grow as annual or biennial plants, with a taproot which is much enlarged in the cultivated radish. The genus is native to Asia but its members can now be found world wide. Growing wild, they are regarded as invasive species in many regions.

"Raphanus" species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Cabbage Moth, "Endoclita excrescens", Garden Carpet and The Nutmeg.

External links

* [http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?2240,2575 Jepson Manual treatment of the genus]
* [http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/Plant.asp?code=A761 Missouri Botanical Gardens page on the rattail radish]