(Pak Choi)

Field mustard, turnip, bok choy, and broccoli raab are part of the complex of different cultivated plants known as Brassica rapa. They have been grown and selected in Eurasia for thousands of years for human consumption and livestock fodder. The origin of Brassica rapa is uncertain but believed center from South and Central Europe. It is now cultivated and naturalized worldwide.

These annual or biennial, cool-season plants typically have loose basal rosettes of broad fleshy...

(Turnip)

The delicious, sweet, mild turnips of 'Hakurei' are small, pure white and round but slightly flattened. Japanese in origin, this cultivar is very fast-growing, being ready to harvest as early as 35 to 38 days from sowing. This is a turnip for non-turnip lovers to try because its roots are so mild and sweet. The dark green tops also taste delicious cooked or eaten raw in salads.

Some classify turnips in the Rapifera group. Turnip varieties come in many shapes and sizes. The larger the root,...

(Little Jade Napa Cabbage, Napa Cabbage)

Vigorous and disease resistant, 'Little Jade' produces dense, vase-shaped, leafy "baby" Napa cabbage heads. Cabbages are ready to harvest around 60 days from planting. The leaves and stalks are crunchy and sweet and can be eaten fresh or in stir-fry.

Bearing dark to pale green leaves with prominent white midveins, brassicas in the Pekinensis group include the vegetables Napa cabbage, bok choy and celery cabbage. It is one of several groups in Brassica rapa, which is Eurasian in origin...

(Pac Choi)

A compact pak choi with broad leaves and fleshy pale green leaf stalks, 'Mei Qing Choi' is also known for its relative heat tolerance. It is one of numerous greens belonging to Brassica rapa, which is believed to have originated in central and southern Europe but is now cultivated and naturalized worldwide.

This annual or biennial, cool-season plant forms loose rosettes of upright, broad, mid-green leaves with greenish-white stalks and midribs. The thick stalk bases form an almost...

(Purple Top White Globe Turnip, Turnip)

An heirloom turnip that remains highly popular, ‘Purple Top White Globe’ is grown for its tender young greens and its tasty bulbous root. This annual or biennial is one of numerous leafy vegetables belonging to Brassica rapa, which may have originated in central and southern Europe but is now cultivated and naturalized worldwide. The white, purple-capped turnips of this variety mature about 50 days after sowing. They grow to tennis ball size but are best when young and tender. The lobed...

(Tokyo Cross Turnip, Turnip)

Winner of the All America Award, 'Tokyo Cross' is grown for its tender young greens and its tasty bulbous root. This annual or biennial is one of numerous leafy vegetables belonging to Brassica rapa, which may have originated in central and southern Europe but is now cultivated and naturalized worldwide. The pure creamy white turnips of this variety are ready for harvest about 35 days after sowing. They grow to grapefruit size but are best when young and tender. The lobed leaves are good...

(Turnip)

Producing turnips of a purer white than those of other varieties, 'White Lady' is grown for its tender young greens and its tasty bulbous root. This annual or biennial is one of numerous leafy vegetables belonging to Brassica rapa, which may have originated in central and southern Europe but is now cultivated and naturalized worldwide. The snowy turnips of this variety are ready for harvest about 40 days after sowing. They grow to handball size but are best when young and tender. The large...

(Bok Choy, Chinese Cabbage, Choy Sum, Pak Choi)

Characterized by chard-like clusters of leaves with thick, white to pale green leaf stalks, the Chinensis group of brassicas includes pak choi, bok choy and Chinese and Japanese cabbage. It is one of several groups within Brassica rapa, which is Eurasian in origin but is now cultivated worldwide. All in the Chinensis group were selected from different regions of Asia and many cultivars exist.

These annual or biennial, cool season plants form loose rosettes of upright green leaves...

(Tat Soi, Tatsoi)

The Narinosa group of Brassica rapa is commonly referred to as tatsoi (tat soi), also known as flat pac choy. This delicious leafy vegetable forms compact, flat clusters of spoon-shaped leaves with thick leaf stalks. It matures quickly, 21 days for baby greens and 45 days for full heads, and has a fresh, crisp flavor and texture. It is one of several Brassica rapa types which are Eurasian in origin but now cultivated worldwide.

This cool-season, biennial vegetable forms tight...

(Celery Cabbage, Napa Cabbage)

Bearing dark to pale green leaves with prominent white midveins, brassicas in the Pekinensis group include the vegetables Napa cabbage, bok choy and celery cabbage. It is one of several groups in Brassica rapa, which is Eurasian in origin but now cultivated worldwide. Pekinensis types are thin-leaved with a sweet, mildly tangy flavor. Habits vary and may be barrel-shaped with crinkled foliage or cylindrical with smooth leaves.

These mustard-like annual or biennial, cool-season plants...