Member of the Brassicaceae or Cruciferae (mustard family).
Native to Europe.
Related species include cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, broccoli.
Personality:
Globular buds, 1 inch in diameter, composed of compacted leaves, are crowded along thick stems.
Stems 24-36 inches long.
Plant is an annual, classed as a dicotyledon, leaves not parallel veined.
Odor of plant parts may be unpleasant.
Storage Specifics:
32-34F.
Tidbits:
The specific epithet name “oleracea” generally means of the garden whereas the variety name “gemmifera” means bud-bearing, in reference to the location of the sprouts.
Cruciferae means cross, referring to the flower petals positioned as a cross. In obvious reference to Jesus and the crucifix.