THE WILD AND THE GROWN - REMARKS ABOUT THE BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION OF BRASSICA

Brassica is a genus of the Cruciferae (Brassicaceae). The wild races are concentrated in the Mediterranean area with one species in C.E. Africa (Brassica somaliensis Hedge et A. Miller) and several weedy races reaching E. Asia. Amphidiploid evolution is characteristic for the genus. The diploid species Brassica nigra (L.) Koch (n = 8), Brassica rapa L. emend. Metzg. (n = 10, syn.: B. campestris L.) and Brassica oleracea L. (n = 9) all show a rich variation under domestication. From the amphidiploids Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. (n = 18), Brassica napus L. emend. Metzg. (n = 19) and the rare Brassica carinata A. Braun (n = 17) some vegetable races derived. The man-made Brassica ×harmsiana O.E. Schulz (Brassica oleracea × Brassica rapa, n = 29, n = 39) or similar hybrids serve also for the development of new vegetables. Brassica tournefortii Gouan (n = 10) from another Brassica-cytodeme, different from the Brassica rapa group, is occasionally grown as a vegetable in India. Brassica has developed two hotspots under cultivation, in the Mediterranean area and in E. Asia.