This species has been cultivated as a food crop for many hundreds of years and, in that time, several quite distinct forms have arisen. The nomenclature of these forms is confused, to say the least, and by no means universally accepted. We have followed the treatment used by GRIN, though it is very likely to be revised in the future[].

Common Name: Nine Star Perennial Broccoli

General Information

Nine Star Perennial Broccoli is a short-lived perennial plant derived in cultivation from the wild cabbage. It grows around 75cm tall.
Nine star perennial broccoli is occasionally grown in gardens for its immature flower head. This is a perennial form of cauliflower that produces one small central cauliflower-like head and a number of smaller broccoli-like spears in early spring.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

A cultivated form of Brassica oleracea.

Habitat

Not known in the wild.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.75 m
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a position in full sun in a well-drained fertile preferably alkaline soil[]. Prefers a heavy soil. Succeeds in any reasonable soil. Succeeds in maritime gardens[].
Plants do not often live for more than 3 - 5 years[].

Edible Uses

Immature flowering head - raw or cooked[]. The plant forms a small cauliflower head in early spring. When this is harvested, another 6 - 12 smaller cauliflowers are produced on sideshoots[]. The plants are not highly productive, but they are well-flavoured and make an excellent vegetable[].

Leaves - raw or cooked. They have a mild cabbage flavour and can be harvested all year round, though be careful not to weaken the plant and thereby reduce the yield of flowering heads[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

Grows well with celery and other aromatic plants since these seem to deter insect predations[, , ]. Grows badly with beet, tomatoes, onions and strawberries[, ].

Other Uses

An extract of the seeds inactivates the bacteria that causes black rot[].

Propagation

Seed - sow in a seedbed outdoors in mid spring. Transplant into their permanent positions as soon as the plants are large enough and there is space in the garden. Do not let the seedlings get overcrowded or they will soon become leggy and will not make such good plants. If your seedlings do get leggy, it is possible to plant them rather deeper into the soil - the buried stems will soon form roots and the plant will be better supported.