Practical
Plants

Brassica napus napobrassica

Swede

a biennial member of the Brassica genus in the family Brassicaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
biennial
Height
0.75 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Self

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - cooked as a potherb[7]. A mild, cabbage-like flavour[K]. Root - raw or cooked[1][4][15][5][7]. A richer flavour than turnips, it makes a good cooked vegetable and, when finely grated, is acceptable in mixed salads[183, K]. The root can be 30cm or more in diameter, though it is usually eaten smaller since it then is more tender[K]. It is available from early autumn, and can either be left in the ground over winter to be harvested as required, or can be harvested and stored in a cool, frost-free place where it will keep for 6 months[K].

Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The root is emollient and diuretic[11]. The juice of the roots is used in the treatment of chronic coughs and bronchial catarrh[11][14]. The seed, powdered, with salt is said to be a folk remedy for cancer[14]. Rape oil is used in massage and oil baths, it is believed to strengthen the skin and keep it cool and healthy. With camphor it is applied as a remedy for rheumatism and stiff joints[14].

Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emollient

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The seed contains up to 45% of an edible semi-drying oil, it is used as a luminant, lubricant, in soap making etc[2][10][17][3].

Environment

Range
A hybrid of garden origin between B. napus and B. campestris.
Habitat
Not known in the wild.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow April to June in situ.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in full sun in a well-drained fertile preferably alkaline soil[4][9]. Prefers a stiff moist soil and a fairly high rainfall[4][8][12]. Another report says that it prefers a light but rich soil and an open sunny position[13]. Succeeds in any reasonable soil[16]. Sunny days and cool nights are favourable for plant growth whilst dry weather at harvest time is essential[14]. Swede is reported to tolerate an annual precipitation of 30 to 280cm, an annual average temperature range of 5 to 27°C and a pH in the range of 4.2 to 8.2[14]. Very young plants are susceptible to cold damage, -4°C either killing or injuring seedlings, whereas -2°C has no affect when the plants are more than one month old[14]. The garden swede is often cultivated for its edible root, there are several named varieties[7]. The plant is somewhat hardier than turnips and in most parts f Britain it can usually be left outdoors all winter and harvested as required. Plants take 4 - 6 weeks longer to mature than turnips[7]. Swede is 70% self-pollinating and 30% cross-pollinated. Even if wind and insects are absent, seed are still produced. Yield increases with honeybees[14]. A good companion plant for peas but it dislikes growing with hedge mustard and knotweed[6].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

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  3. Brouk. B. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-12-136450-x

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  4. Simons. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-050-0

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

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  6. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00

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  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

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  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

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  10. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

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  11. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  12. Hills. L. Comfrey Report. Henry Doubleday Research Ass.

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  13. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Vegetables Macmillan Reference Books, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0 333 62640 0

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  14. Duke. J. Handbook of Energy Crops - 1983-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  15. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  16. Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn 1980-00-00

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  17. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

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