Cabbage (Brassica oleracea, Sp. Pl.: 667 (1753))

Family: Brassicaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 667 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Brassica

Vegetable: True

Observations: Atlantic coasts of Great Britain, France and Spain

Description

Cabbage, a staple vegetable in many cuisines around the world, bears the scientific name Brassica oleracea. First documented in 1753, it was aptly named by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, recognizable by the abbreviation “L.” in botanical literature. This leafy green vegetable is part of the Brassicaceae family, a group renowned for its nutritional benefits and versatility in culinary applications.

The origins and natural habitats of cabbage are fascinating, particularly its prevalence along the Atlantic coasts of Great Britain, France, and Spain. These regions provide the essential climate and soil conditions that allow cabbage to thrive and develop its distinct characteristics.

Cabbage grows best in well-drained, fertile soils rich in organic matter, preferring temperate climates that mirror those found along its native coastal habitats. It is available in various forms, including the well-known green and purple varieties, each offering unique flavors and textures.

Cultivated for centuries, cabbage has not only been a critical food source but also holds cultural and historical significance in many regions. Its compact head of tightly layered leaves can be consumed raw, cooked, or preserved, making it a versatile ingredient in numerous dishes, from fresh salads to fermented preparations like sauerkraut and kimchi.

Moreover, cabbage is celebrated for its health benefits, being low in calories yet rich in vitamins C and K, and containing beneficial compounds like glucosinolates. These properties contribute to its reputation as a superfood, promoting overall health and aiding in the prevention of various diseases.

In conclusion, cabbage (Brassica oleracea) stands out as a vital member of the Brassicaceae family, with deep roots along the Atlantic coasts of Great Britain, France, and Spain. Its rich history, coupled with its nutritional benefits and culinary versatility, underscores its importance in diets worldwide.

Common Names

Eng: cabbage, kale, wild cabbage
Fra: chou commun, chou maraîcher, chou sauvage, chou potager, chou
Deu: gemüse-kohl, kohl
Dan: have-kål
Ces: brukev zelná, kapusta oby
Ita: cavolo
Por: couve, couve-galega, repolho
Swe: kål
Nld: kool, kool en wilde kool
Sme: gálla, eaibmegálla, lašpa, lottegálla
Cym: bresych, bresych gwyllt, bresych y môr, bresych y môr-greigiau, bresychen wyllt, cabatsen, cabets gwyllt, cawl, cawl gwyllt, cawl y graig, cawl y gwyllt, cawl y môr, cawlen, llyrfresych, llyrgawl, morfresych, morgawl, pengronwen
En: Cabbage, Wild cabbage, Kale, Tronchuda cabbage, Chinese Broccoli, Colewort, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Collards, Kohlrabi
Zh: Ye gan lan
Cs: Brukev zelná, Kapusta oby
Da: Have-kål
Nl: Kool, Kool en Wilde kool
Fr: Chou commun, Chou maraîcher, Chou sauvage, Chou potager, Chou, Chou Brocoli, Chou de Bruxelles, Chou de Savoie, Chou fleur, Chou fourrager, Chou frisé, Chou moëllier, Chou rave
De: Kohl, Gemüse-Kohl, Kopfkohl, Gemüsekohl
It: Cavolo, Cavolo coltivato, Cavolo comune
Ja: Kanran
Se: Gálla, Eaibmegálla, Lašpa, Lottegálla
Pt: Couve, Couve-galega, Repolho
Sk: Kapusta obyčajná
Es: Berza, Col, Lombarda, Coliflor, Repollo, Colinabo
Sv: Kål
Cy: Bresych, Bresych Gwyllt, Bresych y Môr, Bresych y Môr-Greigiau, Bresychen Wyllt, Cabatsen, Cabets Gwyllt, Cawl, Cawl Gwyllt, Cawl y Graig, Cawl y Gwyllt, Cawl y Môr, Cawlen, Llyrfresych, Llyrgawl, Morfresych, Morgawl, Pengronwen

Synonyms

• Brassica oleracea var. frutescens (Vis.)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. rubra ((L.) Duchesne)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. purpurascens (DC.)
• Brassica oleracea var. serotissima (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea var. obovata (DC.)
• Brassica oleracea subsp. fruticosa (Metzg.)
• Brassica oleracea var. sabellica (L.)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. cymosa (Duchesne)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. nepenthiformis (DC.)
• Brassica oleracea var. protobotrys (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea var. acephala (DC.)
• Brassica oleracea var. bardovicensis (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea var. macrogongyla (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea var. crispa (Vill.)
• Brassica oleracea var. chamjodusa (Alef.)
• Brassica peregrina (Steud.)
• Brassica oleracea var. communis (DC.)
• Brassica oleracea var. ardeina (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea var. sibirica (Alef.)
• Brassica campestris subsp. sylvestris ((DC.) Janch.)
• Brassica cauliflora (Garsault)
• Brassica oleracea var. opsibotrys (Alef.)
• Brassica arborea (Steud.)
• Brassica oleracea var. kashmiriana (Naqshi & Javeid)
• Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera (DC.)
• Brassica gemmifera (H.Lév.)
• Brassica oleracea var. depressa (DC.)
• Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes (L.)
• Brassica oleracea var. pentovillea (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. violacea (Duchesne)
• Brassica oleracea var. vulgaris (DC.)
• Brassica oleracea var. protojodusa (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea var. magniportana (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea subsp. gemmifera ((DC.) O.E.Schulz)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. crispa (Duchesne)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. major (Duchesne)
• Rapa rotunda (Mill.)
• Brassica oleracea var. plumacea (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea var. culinarum (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. alba (Duchesne)
• Brassica fimbriata (Steud.)
• Brassica oleracea var. sphaerica (DC.)
• Brassica oleracea f. pyramidalis (Mill.)
• Brassica cephala (DC. ex H.Lév.)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. viridis (Duchesne)
• Brassica oleracea var. sublaciniata (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea subsp. capitata ((L.) Schübl. & G.Martens)
• Brassica oleracea var. opsigongyla (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea var. glomerosa (Gray)
• Brassica oleracea var. jodocephala (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea var. cauliflora (DC.)
• Brassica oleracea subsp. acephala ((DC.) Metzg.)
• Brassica oleracea var. dinojodusa (Alef.)
• Brassica rubra (Steud.)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. sabauda ((L.) O.E.Schulz)
• Brassica oleracea var. phaeusa (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. aurata (DC.)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. crassa (Duchesne)
• Brassica oleracea var. italica (Plenck)
• Brassica oleracea var. major ((Duchesne) DC.)
• Brassica alba (Boiss.)
• Brassica oleracea var. germanorum (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea f. violascens (G.Martens)
• Brassica oleracea var. asparagoides (DC.)
• Brassica laciniata (Steud.)
• Brassica oleracea var. chlorusa (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea var. pyramidula (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea var. micropodium (Kuntze)
• Brassica oleracea var. praecox (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea var. medullosa (Thell.)
• Brassica oleracea var. opsjodusa (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea var. selinoides (Gray)
• Brassica oleracea var. jodogongyla (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. sphaerica ((DC.) G.Martens)
• Brassica millecapitata (H.Lév.)
• Brassica oleracea f. dissecta (Peterm.)
• Brassica oleracea var. laciniata (L.)
• Sinapis brassicata (L.)
• Brassica oleracea var. theiusa (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea var. maritima (Coss.)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. brumalis (Duchesne)
• Brassica oleracea var. percrispa (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. sabellica ((L.) O.E.Schulz)
• Brassica oleracea var. bullata ((Pasq.) DC.)
• Crucifera brassica (E.H.L.Krause)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. communis (DC.)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. compressa (Duchesne)
• Brassica oleracea var. quercifolia (DC.)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. subacuta (Duchesne)
• Brassica oleracea var. chamaegongyla (Alef.)
• Brassica rupestris var. gongylodes ((L.) Janch.)
• Brassica oleracea var. atrorubens (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea var. elliptica (DC.)
• Raphanus brassica (Crantz)
• Brassica oleracea var. capitata (L.)
• Brassica oleracea var. longa (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. turionensis (DC.)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. maxima (Duchesne)
• Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra ((L.H.Bailey) Musil)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. procerior (Duchesne)
• Brassica oleracea var. media (Alef.)
• Brassica suttoniana (H.Lév.)
• Brassica oleracea var. grangei (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea f. viridis (Duchesne)
• Brassica oleracea subsp. laevis (Metzg.)
• Brassica oleracea var. palmifolia (DC.)
• Brassica oleracea var. microcephala (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea var. subrubens (Gray)
• Brassica oleracea var. viridis (L.)
• Brassica odorata (Schrank ex Steud.)
• Brassica oleracea var. conica ((Duchesne) DC.)
• Brassica oleracea var. selenisia (L.)
• Brassica oleracea subsp. caulorapa ((DC.) Metzg.)
• Brassica oleracea var. ramosa (DC.)
• Brassica oleracea var. sylvestris (L.)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. laciniata ((L.) O.E.Schulz)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. conica (Duchesne)
• Brassica oleracea var. aurata ((DC.) Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea var. erythrobotrys (Alef.)
• Raphanus brassica-officinalis (Crantz)
• Brassica oleracea var. sabauda (L.)
• Brassica quercifolia (DC. ex H.Lév.)
• Brassica sylvestris ((L.) Mill.)
• Brassica oleracea var. ulmensis (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. rubra-minor (Duchesne)
• Brassica alboglabra (L.H.Bailey)
• Napus oleracea ((L.) K.F.Schimp. & Spenn.)
• Brassica oleracea var. flandrica (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea var. herbacea (Spach)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. praecox (DC.)
• Brassica oleracea var. loudonii (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea f. salinaria (Kitt.)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. vulgaris (Duchesne)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. cymosa-violacea (Duchesne)
• Brassica oleracea var. albiflora (Kuntze)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. cymosa-albida (Duchesne)
• Brassica bullata (Pasq.)
• Brassica oleracea f. selenisia ((L.) O.E.Schulz)
• Brassica oleracea subsp. bullata ((DC.) Metzg.)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. parva-praecox (Duchesne)
• Brassica caulorapa ((DC.) Pasq.)
• Brassica oleracea var. aberdeenea (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea f. azurea (Uspenski)
• Brassica oleracea f. exaltata ((Rchb.) Thell.)
• Brassica oleracea subsp. gongylodes ((L.) Schübl. & G.Martens)
• Brassica oleracea var. veris (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea f. rubra ((L.) Peterm.)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. albida (Duchesne)
• Brassica oleracea var. costata (DC.)
• Brassica oleracea var. luteola (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea var. schizogongyla (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. humilis (DC.)
• Brassica muscovita (Steud.)
• Brassica oleracea var. aloides (Kitt.)
• Brassica oleracea var. rubra (L.)
• Brassica sabellica (Pers.)
• Brassica oleracea var. semiclausa (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea var. oblonga (DC.)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. alba-praecox (Duchesne)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. pinnata (DC.)
• Brassica rupestris subsp. gongylodes ((L.) Janch.)
• Brassica oleracea var. fimbriata (Mill.)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. versicolor (DC.)
• Brassica capitala (DC. ex H.Lév.)
• Brassica oleracea var. scotica (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea subvar. minor (Duchesne)
• Brassica oleracea var. procera (Alef.)
• Brassica oleracea var. macrocephala (Alef.)

Distribution

• France (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Spain (native)
• Albania (introduced)
• Algeria (introduced)
• Antipodean Is. (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Belarus (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Chatham Is. (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• China North-Central (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Crozet Is. (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• East European Russia (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Easter Is. (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• El Salvador (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• Falkland Is. (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Iraq (introduced)
• Juan Fernández Is. (introduced)
• Kazakhstan (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Krym (introduced)
• Labrador (introduced)
• Lebanon-Syria (introduced)
• Libya (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Marshall Is. (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• North European Russi (introduced)
• Northern Territory (introduced)
• Northwest European R (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Prince Edward I. (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Sardegna (introduced)
• Saudi Arabia (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South European Russi (introduced)
• Tadzhikistan (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Tunisia (introduced)
• Turkmenistan (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Zaïre (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Oct 25, 2021 by Marijn van der Velde (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 4, 2017 by maschietto francesco (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 2, 2018 by Paul Jackson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 14, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 29, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 15, 2021 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 6, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 13, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 2, 2021 by Sabin Poenariu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 13, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 29, 2021 by Tobias Eberle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 28, 2021 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 26, 2021 by Donatella Vettorazzo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 27, 2021 by Mariné toni (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 10, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Dec 11, 2021 by l.koper (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 11, 2021 by Angelika Reisinger-Remmers (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 15, 2018 by Ángel Varela (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 17, 2021 by Sabin Poenariu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 15, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 28, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 9, 2022 by Sabin Poenariu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 12, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Nov 23, 2022 by KP Laer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 22, 2021 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 19, 2022 by parramon marta (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2020 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 12, 2022 by David Ochoa (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3042845)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:279435-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Brassica oleracea L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Sowing: “Sow seeds indoors and transplant outside

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Soil nutriments: 6

Soil salinity: 7