Brassica rapa trilocularis
(Roxb.) Hanelt
Brassicaceae
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[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Brassica campestris sarson Prain.
Brassica campestris trilocularis (Roxb.) G.Olsson
Brassica napus trilocularis (Roxb.) O.E.Schulz
Brassica rapa sarson (Prain.) Denford.
Brassica trilocularis (Roxb.) Hook.f. & Thomson
Sinapis trilocularis Roxb.
Common Name: Indian Colza
Leaves and flowers, harvested as a vegetable
Photograph by: Miansari66
Creative Commons Zero, Public Domain Dedication
Leaves and flowers, harvested as a vegetable
Photograph by: Miansari66
Creative Commons Zero, Public Domain Dedication
A field of the flowering plant, cultivated as an oil crop
Photograph by: Riskyishwar
Public domain
General Information
Indian colza is an annual to biennial plant, derived in cultivation from Brassica rapa. It grows about 90cm tall.
The plant is cultivated, mainly in India and Nepal, for its oil-rich seeds.
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.
Botanical References
74- Title
- Flora of the USSR.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Komarov. V. L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Israel Program for Scientific Translation
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
Range
A cultivated form of Brassica rapa.
Habitat
Not known in the wild.
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Biennial |
| Height | 0.90 m |
| Pollinators | Bees |
| Self-fertile | Yes |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Succeeds in full sun in a well-drained fertile preferably alkaline soil[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Prefers a light sandy soil and dislikes a heavy soil[
37- Title
- The Gardener's Assistant.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Thompson. B.
- Publisher
- Blackie and Son.
- Year
- 1878
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Excellent general but extensive guide to gardening practices in the 19th century. A very good section on fruits and vegetables with many little known species.
]. Prefers cool moist growing conditions[
16- Title
- New Vegetable Growers Handbook.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Simons.
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Year
- 1977
- ISBN
- 0-14-046-050-0
- Description
- A good guide to growing vegetables in temperate areas, not entirely organic.
]. Succeeds in any reasonable soil. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.3 to 8.3.
Edible Uses
Leaves - raw or cooked. Used as a vegetable or fermented and stored for winter use[
272- Title
- Plants and People of Nepal
- Publication
-
- Author
- Manandhar. N. P.
- Publisher
- Timber Press. Oregon.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 0-88192-527-6
- Description
- Excellent book, covering over 1,500 species of useful plants from Nepal together with information on the geography and peoples of Nepal. Good descriptions of the plants with terse notes on their uses.
]. A bit on the coarse side, though the young leaves can be added in moderation to salads whilst older leaves make an acceptable vegetable[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
An edible oil is obtained from the seeds. It is used for cooking[
272- Title
- Plants and People of Nepal
- Publication
-
- Author
- Manandhar. N. P.
- Publisher
- Timber Press. Oregon.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 0-88192-527-6
- Description
- Excellent book, covering over 1,500 species of useful plants from Nepal together with information on the geography and peoples of Nepal. Good descriptions of the plants with terse notes on their uses.
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
The oil from the seed is used for lighting[
272- Title
- Plants and People of Nepal
- Publication
-
- Author
- Manandhar. N. P.
- Publisher
- Timber Press. Oregon.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 0-88192-527-6
- Description
- Excellent book, covering over 1,500 species of useful plants from Nepal together with information on the geography and peoples of Nepal. Good descriptions of the plants with terse notes on their uses.
].
The seed husks are used in plastering house walls[
272- Title
- Plants and People of Nepal
- Publication
-
- Author
- Manandhar. N. P.
- Publisher
- Timber Press. Oregon.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 0-88192-527-6
- Description
- Excellent book, covering over 1,500 species of useful plants from Nepal together with information on the geography and peoples of Nepal. Good descriptions of the plants with terse notes on their uses.
].
Propagation
Seed - sow in situ mid spring to September[
206- Title
- Oriental Vegetables
- Publication
-
- Author
- Larkcom J.
- Publisher
- John Murray
- Year
- 1991
- ISBN
- 0-7195-4781-4
- Description
- Well written and very informative.
]. Some varieties can also be sown in a cold greenhouse in late autumn, winter or early spring to provide leaves overwinter and in late spring.
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Temperate Plants Database 2016 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
