Cabbage and Kale and Cauliflower, Oh My!

by Kristine Paulus

I’m a bit of a “botanophile” so I always like to learn about the plants that produce my favorite
foods. Our recent CSA boxes included delicious cabbage, kale and cauliflower. Some people
might be surprised to learn that they all originate from the same plant species! The scientific
name is Brassica oleracea. Other members of this species include broccoli, kohlrabi, collard
greens and Brussels sprouts, some of which may arrive in future deliveries.

The wild species is a hardy short-lived perennial native to Mediterranean and southwestern
Europe, as far north as southern England and is found growing in its natural habitat of limestone
seaside cliffs. In the wild, it is a somewhat uncommon plant and while edible, isn’t nearly as
tasty as those that have been bred to be more palatable for human consumption.

The various agricultural forms that we are familiar with are derived from the wild species and
have become important crop plants. Brassica oleracea has been cultivated for over 2,000 years
and developed into a wide variety of forms that have considerably different appearances. They
are categorized into cultivar groups, which commonly include:

• Acephala Group (includes kale & collards)
• Botrytis Group (includes cauliflower)
• Capitata Group (includes cabbage)
• Gemmifera Group (includes Brussels sprouts)
• Gongylodes Group (includes kohlrabi)
• Italica Group (includes broccoli)

Even among these cultivar groups, there are a vast array of cultivars with different flower colors,
leaf shapes, as well as variations in flavor. For instance, one popular kale cultivar is Brassica
oleracea (Acephala Group) ‘Laciniato’, also known as dinosaur kale because of its wrinkled
leaves. B. oleracea (Botrytis Group) ‘Cheddar’ is prized for its bright orange flower buds that are
the edible parts. And then there’s B. oleracea ‘Romanesco’, which is alternately called broccoli
or cauliflower, but is neither. Its flower buds form a remarkable fractal pattern makes it almost
too pretty to eat.

Cruciferous vegetables (members of the plant family Brassicaceae) have many health benefits as
well, and are considered “superfoods.” They are high in vitamin C and have apparent cancer-
fighting properties. They’re also low calorie and high in vitamins E & K and high in fiber and
antioxidants. However, it’s always good to remember that consuming too much of anything can
sometimes be detrimental, so moderation is key.

A few of these plants are currently being grown by gardeners at Bainbridge Avenue Garden. The
next time you’re picking up your CSA share, take a peek and admire their diverse morphology.
For further reading, see https://www.britannica.com/plant/Brassica-oleracea

Photos (all by Kristine Paulus):
1. Brassica oleracea (Acephala Group) ‘Purple Moon’ kale seed packet planted at
Bainbridge Avenue Garden
2. Brassica oleracea (Botrytis Group) ‘Romanesco’
3. Cats like broccoli too!
4. Brassica oleracea (Capitata Group), also known as cabbage