Practical
Plants

Brassica rapa oleifera

Stubble Turnip

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

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

Uses

Edible uses

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

Root - cooked[3]. Similar in taste to the garden turnip but a bit coarser[4], the young roots can be grated and used in salads whilst older roots are best cooked and used as a vegetable[K]. They are usually available from the autumn until early spring and can be left in the ground in all but the coldest winters[K]. Leaves - raw or cooked. A bit on the coarse side, though the young leaves can be added in moderation to salads whilst older leaves make an acceptable vegetable[K]. An edible oil is obtained from the seeds.

Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Oil
Plant part
Root

Material uses

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

A good green manure crop[4]. Fast growing and quickly producing a good bulk, the leaves die down in severe winters.

Ecology and functions

Green manure

Environment

Range
A cultivated form of B. rapa.
Habitat
Not known in the wild.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, 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 in situ from March to July. A late July sowing produces a worthwhile bulk to dig in during October.

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in full sun in a well-drained fertile preferably alkaline soil[2]. Succeeds in any reasonable soil. A fairly deep rooted plant, stubble turnip is mainly grown as a feed for farm animals though it is also suitable for human consumption, especially if eaten when small[87, K]. It is fast growing plant[4], a crop of young roots can be harvested 8 weeks after sowing. The plant is very cold tolerant and is usually left in the ground all winter to be harvested as required. The plant is also grown for its oil-rich seeds. A good bee plant[1].

References

  1. International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. 1981-00-00

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

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  3. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

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  4. Woodward. L. Burge. P. Green Manures. Elm Farm Research Centre. 1982-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

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