Definition

Noun 1. A wild plant species: The wild ancestor of many common cultivated vegetables like cabbage, kale, broccoli, and cauliflower. It is native to coastal regions of western and southern Europe. 2. A cultivated plant: Any of the numerous domesticated varieties and cultivars developed from this wild species, grown for their edible leaves, flower buds, stems, or inflorescences.

Usage Examples

• Referring to the wild species:
  • Brassica oleracea is believed to have originated in the Mediterranean region.
  • Botanists study Brassica oleracea to understand the genetics of vegetable domestication.
• Referring to cultivated forms:
  • Kale, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts are all cultivars of Brassica oleracea.
  • The farmer grows several varieties of Brassica oleracea in her garden.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical and agricultural contexts: The term is primarily used in scientific, horticultural, and agricultural writing to refer to the species as a whole or to discuss the relationship between its many cultivated forms.
  • The incredible diversity within Brassica oleracea is a classic example of artificial selection.

Variants and Related Words

• Cultivar names: These are not variants of the species name but distinct cultivated forms derived from it. Common examples include:
  • Brassica oleracea var. acephala (kale, collard greens)
  • Brassica oleracea var. capitata (cabbage)
  • Brassica oleracea var. botrytis (cauliflower, Romanesco broccoli)
  • Brassica oleracea var. italica (broccoli)
  • Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera (Brussels sprouts)
  • Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes (kohlrabi)

Synonyms

• Wild cabbage
• Colewort (a term sometimes used for the wild form or primitive cultivars)

Related Terms (Conceptual Group)

• Brassica: The genus to which this species belongs.
• Cruciferous vegetable: A common name for vegetables in the Brassicaceae family, which includes all cultivars.
• Cole crop: An agricultural term for vegetables derived from .

Noun

1. wild original of cultivated cabbages; common in western coastal Europe
2. any of various cultivars of the genus Brassica oleracea grown for their edible leaves or flowers