Cabbage, Broccoli, and Allies

Also known as Wild Cabbage, Colewort

Wild cabbage clings to windswept maritime cliffs of western and southern Europe, using thick, glaucous leaves coated in a waxy bloom to conserve moisture against salty coastal winds. Centuries of selective breeding have transformed this single species into a remarkable spectrum of agricultural crops, including kale, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi. In its second growing season, the plant bolts upright, producing open sprays of pale yellow, four-petaled flowers that attract a wide variety of early spring pollinators.