The cabbage (Brassica oleracea Capitata Group) is an edible plant
of the Family Brassicaceae (or Cruciferae). It is herbaceous, biennial, and a
dicotyledonous flowering
plant with leaves forming a characteristic compact head. Surprisingly, cabbage, broccoli (Italica Group), cauliflower (Botrytis Group),
collard greens (Acephala Group), kohlrabi (Gongylodes Group), brussels sprouts
(Gemmifera Group), Chinese kale or Chinese broccoli (Alboglabra Group),
broccolini (Italica x Alboglabra Group), and broccoflower (Italica x Botrytis Group) are all cultivars
of the same plant species, Brassica oleracea.
The cabbage head was bred into the species from the leafy wild plant, found in the Mediterranean region around 100 CE. The English name derives from the French caboche (head). Varieties
include Red cabbage, Savoy cabbage, and Chinese cabbage.
Cabbages are commonly used both cooked and as a salad vegetable. They keep well and
were thus a common winter vegetable before refrigeration and
long-distance shipping of produce. Sauerkraut is a fermented cabbage often used as a condiment or side
dish.
The caterpillars of some butterflies in the family Pieridae (the "whites") feed on brassicas
and can be serious pests.
The juice of the red cabbage can be used as a pH indicator[1] (http://chemistry.about.com/library/weekly/aa012803a.htm).
Culture
Broadly speaking, two groups of varieties are available: early and late. The early varieties mature in about 50 days. They
produce small heads which do not keep well and are intended for consumption while fresh. The late cabbage matures in about 80
days, and produces a larger head.
Cabbage can be started indoors or sowed directly. Like all brassicae, cabbage is a cool season crop, so early and late
plantings do better than those maturing in the heat of the summer.
Control of insect pests is important, particularly in commercial production where appearance is important. Sevin and malathion are both listed for use on
cabbage.
Krautman is the most common variety for commercial production of sauerkraut.
See also
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