Brassica napus Colza (Cruciferae)

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Brassica napus
Colza
(1 Page of 5)

The Brassica napus plant species is found in Europe - Mediterranean. Naturalized in Britain[17]. It is a member of the Cruciferae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Colza.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Brassica napus
Common Name:  Colza
Family:  Cruciferae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  The oil contained in the seed of some varieties of this species can be rich in erucic acid which is toxic. However, modern cultivars have been selected which are almost free of erucic acid.

Mature Height:  1.2   Mature Width:

Habitat:  Banks of streams, ditches and arable fields in Britain[17].

Edible Uses: Leaves - raw or cooked[4, 34, 37]. Added to salads or used as a potherb[183]. Immature flowering stems - cooked in much the same way as broccoli[183]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed, it is used mainly for cooking purposes, but also for salads[4, 13, 34, 46, 183]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. The sprouted seed is often used as the mustard part of mustard and cress. Eaten in salads[4, 34, 37, 183]. The seed is used as a mustard flavouring[183].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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