description Wild Turnip Overview
Wild Turnip refers to wild forms of Brassica rapa, a flowering plant in the mustard family, Brassicaceae. The name Brassica rapa subsp. sylvestris is used in botanical and agricultural literature, although Kew's Plants of the World Online treats that name as a synonym of Brassica rapa. Brassica rapa also includes cultivated turnips, rapeseed forms, and several Asian vegetable crops, linking the wild plant to the species' crop history.
help Wild Turnip FAQ
What is wild turnip?
Wild turnip refers to wild forms of Brassica rapa, a flowering plant in the mustard family, Brassicaceae. Botanical literature may use Brassica rapa subsp. sylvestris for these plants.
Is wild turnip related to cultivated turnips?
Yes. Cultivated turnips belong to Brassica rapa, the same species complex that includes wild forms. Selective breeding produced different forms grown for roots, leaves, or oilseed.
What does wild turnip look like?
Wild turnip is an upright mustard-family plant with yellow, four-petaled flowers and branching stems. Its leaves can vary substantially depending on age, habitat, and whether the plant is wild or cultivated.
What is the current name used for wild turnip?
Brassica rapa subsp. sylvestris is used in some botanical and agricultural sources. Plants of the World Online treats that name as a synonym of Brassica rapa, so naming can vary by database.
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