Brassica rapa

taxobox
name = "Brassica rapa"

---

regnum = Plantae
unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
unranked_classis = Eudicots
unranked_ordo = Rosids
ordo = Brassicales
familia = Brassicaceae
genus = "Brassica"
species = "B. rapa"
binomial = "Brassica rapa"
binomial_authority = L.|

"Brassica rapa" (syn. "Brassica campestris") is a plant widely cultivated as a leaf vegetable (see mizuna), a root vegetable, and an oilseed.

Cultivar groups

Cultivated varieties of "Brassica rapa" include:

* Bok choy ("chinensis group"), also known as Chinese cabbage ("pekinensis group")
* Mizuna ("nipposinica group")
* Aburana ("nippo-oleifera group")
* Flowering cabbage ("parachinensis group")
* Napa cabbage ("baechu")
* Turnip ("rapa group")
* Rapini ("ruvo group")
* Tatsoi
* Komatsuna

Experimental organism

Some varieties of this plant are used for experiments as they require little more attention than the proper amounts of light, water, and fertilizer. These "Fast Plants" (the name is a registered trademark for the variety developed at the University of Wisconsin) are ideal for basic botany and biology experiments, as they grow quickly, maturing in about 40 days. Some genetically modified versions mature faster. This short growing time makes them easier to experiment with than most other plants. Some of these plants have even been sent to outer space to test germination.

External links

* [http://database.prota.org/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dll?AC=QBE_QUERY&BU=http%3A%2F%2Fdatabase.prota.org%2Fsearch.htm&TN=PROTAB~1&QB0=AND&QF0=Species+Code&QI0=Brassica+rapa&RF=Webdisplay PROTAbase on "Brassica rapa"]
*ITIS|ID=23063|taxon="Brassica rapa"|year=2006|date=17 November
* The official [http://www.fastplants.org/intro.php Fast Plants] website.