Brassica napus napobrassica
| Brassica napus | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Life Cycle: | Biennial |
| Height: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Late Summer |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Brassica napus napobrassica (common name: swede)
Propagation: Seed - sow April to June in situ.
Cultivation: Succeeds in full sun in a well-drained fertile preferably alkaline soil[1][2]. Prefers a stiff moist soil and a fairly high rainfall[1][3][4]. Another report says that it prefers a light but rich soil and an open sunny position[5]. Succeeds in any reasonable soil[6]. Sunny days and cool nights are favourable for plant growth whilst dry weather at harvest time is essential[7]. 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[7].
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[7].
The garden swede is often cultivated for its edible root, there are several named varieties[8]. 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[8].
Swede is 70% self-pollinating and 30% cross-pollinated. Even if wind and insects are absent, seed are still produced. Yield increases with honeybees[7].
A good companion plant for peas but it dislikes growing with hedge mustard and knotweed[9].
Range: A hybrid of garden origin between B. napus and B. campestris.
Habitat: Not known in the wild.
Edibility: Leaves - cooked as a potherb[8]. A mild, cabbage-like flavour[K].
Root - raw or cooked[10][1][11][12][8]. A richer flavour than turnips, it makes a good cooked vegetable and, when finely grated, is acceptable in mixed salads[8][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].
Medicinal: The root is emollient and diuretic[13]. The juice of the roots is used in the treatment of chronic coughs and bronchial catarrh[13][7].
The seed, powdered, with salt is said to be a folk remedy for cancer[7].
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[7].
Usage: The seed contains up to 45% of an edible semi-drying oil, it is used as a luminant, lubricant, in soap making etc[14][15][16][17].
Pollinators: Bees, self
Habit: Biennial
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Also Known As: B. napobrassica.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Simons, Arthur. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin, 1977.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Riotte, Louise. Carrots Love Tomatoes. Garden Way, 1978.
- ↑ Hills, Lawrence. Comfrey Report. Henry Doubleday Research Association, 1975.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Vegetables. Macmillan Reference Books, 1995.
- ↑ Larkcom, Joy. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn, 1980.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 Duke, James. Handbook of Energy Crops. 1983.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Philbrick, Helen and Richard Gregg. Companion Plants. Watkins, 1979.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Hill, Albert. Economic Botany. The Maple Press, 1952.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ Triska, Jan. Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn, 1975.
- ↑ Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ Schery. Robert. Plants for Man. Prentice Hall, 1972.
- ↑ Brouk, Bohuslav. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press, 1975.