Brassica rapa

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Brassica rapa
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Brassicales Family: Brassicaceae Genus: Brassica Species: B. rapa
Binomial name
Brassica rapa L.

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

[edit] Cultivar groups

Cultivated varieties of Brassica rapa include:

• Bok choy (chinensis group)
• Mizuna (nipposinica group)
• Aburana (nippo-oleifera group)
• Flowering cabbage (parachinensis group)
• Chinese cabbage (pekinensis group)
• Napa cabbage (baechu)
• Turnip (rapa group)
• Rapini (ruvo group)
• Tatsoi
• Komatsuna

[edit] 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 in just 28 days. 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.

[edit] External links

• Multilingual taxonomic information from the University of Melbourne
• PROTAbase on Brassica rapa
• Brassica rapa (TSN 23063). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 17 November 2006.
• The official Fast Plants website.