Brassica napus
Brassica napus
Safety & Hazards
The oil contained in the seed of some varieties of this species can be rich in erucic acid which is used in industry but is toxic if consumed. However, modern cultivars have been selected for culinary use which are almost free of erucic acid[ 418 Title Ecocrop Publication Author Website http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available. ].
Botanical Description
Brassica napus is an erect to spreading, annual to biennial plant; branched above, it can grow from 30 - 150cm tall[ 305 Title Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk Publication Author Website http://www.hear.org/pier/scientificnames/index.html Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A very good website detailing weed species that have been introduced into the Pacific Islands. ]. Brassica napus is an aggregate species, derived in cultivation. It has three commonly cultivated forms, one supplying an edible root, another edible leaves and the third is a major source of oil for food and industry. Each form has a separate record. A widely cultivated plant, it sometimes escapes from cultivation and becomes established - it has been described as invasive in countries such as New Zealand and the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador[ 305 Title Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk Publication Author Website http://www.hear.org/pier/scientificnames/index.html Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A very good website detailing weed species that have been introduced into the Pacific Islands. ].