The Brassica Family Trivia Quiz

The name kohlrabi derives from the German name for cabbage - kohl. Brassica oleracea, variety gongylodes is the specific botanical name for kohlrabi and the part which resembles the turnip is actually a swollen stem, which can be eaten raw or cooked.

The leaves are also edible and can be used in salads or cooked. Kohlrabis originated in Europe and Asia but can be grown in any cool climate with spring and autumn being the best times as daytime temperatures aren't too high.

As you will notice as you progress through the quiz, many of these plants share the Brassica oleracea name with the addition of a variety name to distinguish them from each other.

The horseradish plant is Armoracia rusticana, a perennial which is native to eastern regions of Europe and western Asia. The root is used to make a pungent sauce with a strong, rather bitter, taste and often served with roast beef..

It is classed as one of of the Brassica family as it has the cross-shaped flowers with four petals which are common to all members of the family.

The scientific name for kale is Brassica oleracea, variety acephala and it originated in the eastern Mediterranean area and regions of Anatolia. It is believed to resemble the original wild cabbages more than modern cabbages as the plants do not form a head, which is typical of the plant generally known just as cabbage. The 'acephala' part of the name means 'lacking a head'.

The version in the picture, and the one with which most of us are familiar, has curly leaves and is often called curly kale. The leaves are used as a vegetable.

Raphanus sativus is the name for the common radish. If they were allowed to bloom, the flowers would be a creamy-yellow colour with the four petals which denote a member of the Brassica family. Radishes are related to the daikon which is the name more commonly used in far eastern countries.

Radishes in the wild probably began growing in Asia but are now found in most countries. They are normally eaten raw and are a common addition to salads.

Now a popular addition to salads, Eruca sativa is known as rocket in the UK while Americans call it arugula. Originating in the Mediterranean area, the Romans used rocket for medical purposes and, according to several sources, as an aphrodisiac.

The distinctive peppery taste confirms its membership of the mustard family and it is one of the many plants to fall under the Brassica family. The leaves are the part of the plant used for eating and the flowers are the typical four petalled variety and are white.

Brassica rapa, variety rapa is the name which distinguishes turnips from the other plants named Brassica rapa, which include field mustard and napa cabbage. Turnips are usually grown for their roots although the green leaves can also be cooked and eaten.

The roots are primarily white, although the top part may be a reddish-purple due to being exposed. Turnips are also used as fodder for farm animals and the flowers are yellow.

Collard greens share their scientific name of Brassica oleracea, variety acephala with kale as they have many similarities in the shape of the leaves. Kale has curly edges while collard greens, as you can see in the photo, have leaves which look much more like an ordinary cabbage and are broader than those of kale. Like kale, though, no solid head forms.

This variety is popular as a vegetable in parts of East Africa, the Balkan region of Europe and the Southern states of the USA.

As the scientific name indicates, Eutrema japonicum is native to Japan and other Asian countries and is often called Japanese horseradish or, even more frequently, wasabi. Like horseradish, its pungent root (rhizome) is used as a condiment.

It is harder to grow than horseradish and is more expensive to buy. The flowers, as you'd expect, have four petals and are white while the leaves are large and heavily veined.

With the scientific name of Brassica rapa, variety chinensis you'll probably guess that the alternative name for bok choy is Chinese cabbage. The photo shows the leaves and stems, both of which are edible with the leaves having a stronger flavour.

Bok choy translates as 'white vegetable' and it is sometimes called pak choi in the UK. It is usually cooked to accompany other foods. The flowers of bok choy are yellow.

Nasturtium officinale is the proper name for the watercress plant, which is native to both Asia and Europe. As the common name implies, it is found growing in water and is one of the oldest plants known to have formed part of the human diet.

The flower with the common name of nasturtium is not a close relative of watercress and was most likely given the name due to the taste of its edible leaves and flowers. The families are completely different, with the flower belonging to the Tropaeolum family.