Rhynchosinapis wrightii
Lundy Cabbage
a perennial evergreen member of the Rhynchosinapis genus in the family Brassicaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Genus
- Rhynchosinapis
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Height
- 1 m
- Spread
- 0.6 m
- Fertility
- Self fertile, Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Leaves - raw or cooked[1]. A flavour somewhere between a cabbage and a radish[K]. At its best for harvesting in the winter months, when it makes an acceptable addition to the salad bowl[K]. It is also a reasonable cabbage substitute when cooked[K]. Flowers and young flowering stems- raw or cooked[K]. The flowers make a decorative addition to the salad bowl, whilst the young flowering stems can be used like broccoli. A cabbage-like flavour but with a distinct bitterness[K].
- Plant part
- Flowers
- Plant part
- Leaves
Environment
- Range
- Britain.
- Habitat
- Endemic to the cliffs and slopes on the eastern side of Lundy Island[2].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow spring in a cold frame or outdoor seedbed. The seed usually germinates within a week. Prick out the pot-sown seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Those in the outdoor seedbed can be thinned as required (the thinnings can be transplanted or eaten) and be moved to their permanent positions when they are 15 - 25cm tall.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A very rare plant, it is only found growing wild on Lundy Island in the Bristol channel[2]. It requires a sunny position in a well-drained soil[K]. The plant is fairly hardy and should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country, though it tends to droop somewhat in very cold weather. It can provide edible leaves all year round, though there are scant pickings as the plant comes into flower and for a month or so afterwards[K]. Plants are generally quite short-lived perennials, though they usually self-sow freely when well-sited[K].
References
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00