Turnip - World Crops Database

Turnip - Photo by krossbow

The turnip or white turnip is a root vegetable. Some smaller varieties are grown for human consumption while others are used as fodder. The leaves are sometimes eaten as “turnip greens”.

Turnip grows in temperate climates. In some countries, the name turnip is used for the rutabaga, which is a related but different vegetable with yellow roots.

Names

Scientific
   Brassica rapa var. rapa
Synonym
   Brassica campestris esculenta
English
   Turnip
   White turnip
Dutch
   Consumptieraap
   Herfstknol
   Herfstraap
   Knol
   Knolraap
   Meiknolletje
   Meiraap
   Raap
   Stoppelknol
   Tol
French
   Navet
German
   Rübe
   Speiserübe
Italian
   Rapa

Taxonomy

Order
   Brassicales
Family
   Brassicaceae
Genus
   Brassica
Species
   Brassica rapa var. rapa (Turnip)

Basic information and facts

Origin:

Probably originates from West Asia and Europe. Turnip was first domesticated in India for its oil-bearing seeds.

Distribution:

Temperate regions worldwide.

Annual, biennial, or perennial:

Turnip is a biennial plant. The root develop the first year and the plant flowers in the second year.

Roots:

The edible root is a white, fleshy taproot.

Leaves:

Turnip leaves are sometimes eaten as “turnip greens”.

Climate and weather:

Cultivated in temperate climate.

Spacing:

Sow the seeds in rows 25 to 30 cm apart. Within the row thin the healthy seedlings to a spacing of 10 to 15 cm.

Propagation:

Turnips are grown from seeds.

Uses:

The roots of some smaller varieties are used for human consumption. Bigger varieties are used as feed for animals. Leaves are edible and used as a leaf vegetable called “turnip greens”.

Pictures

Turnip - Photo by looopeeelisa

Turnip - Photo by joyosity

Turnips field - Photo by Dave-F

Turnip - Photo by tvol