Ornamental Cabbage – Brassica oleracea var. acephala

Common Name: Cabbage, Kale, Ornamental Cabbage, Ornamental Kale

Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea var. acephala, BRAS-si-ca o-ler-ACE-ee-a

Decorative Life: 5 days.

Availability: Fall, Summer

• Member of the Brassicaceae or Cruciferae (mustard family).
• Native to Europe.
• Related species include cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi and broccoli.

• Ruffled leaves occur in a rosette on a thick stem.
• Stems 6-8 inches long.
• Plant is an annual, classed as a dicotyledon, leaves not parallel veined.
• Odor of plant parts may be offensive.

32-34F.

• The variety name “acephala” means headless. The specific epithet name “oleracea” generally means of the garden.
• Cruciferae means cross, referring to the flower petals positioned as a cross. In obvious reference to Jesus and the crucifix.
• Color of leaves can vary from shades of green to cream or purple.