Origins
According to the Triangle of U theory, B. oleracea is very closely related to five other species of the genus Brassica.
The cultivars of B. oleracea are grouped by developmental form into seven major cultivar groups, of which the Acephala ("non-heading") group remains most like the natural Wild Cabbage in appearance:
- Brassica oleracea Acephala Group – kale and collard greens
- Brassica oleracea Alboglabra Group – Chinese broccoli
- Brassica oleracea Botrytis Group – cauliflower, Romanesco broccoli and broccoflower
- Brassica oleracea Capitata Group – cabbage
- Brassica oleracea Gemmifera Group – brussels sprouts
- Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group – kohlrabi
- Brassica oleracea Italica Group – broccoli
For other edible plants in the family Brassicaceae, see cruciferous vegetables.
In places such as the Channel Islands and Canary Islands where the frost is minimal and plants are thus freed from seasonality, some cultivars can grow up to 3 meters tall. These "tree cabbages" yield fresh leaves throughout the year, and harvest does not mean the plant needs to be destroyed as with a normal cabbage. Their woody stalks are sometimes dried and made into walking sticks.
Read more about this topic: Brassica Oleracea
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