Plant Name: Barassocaceae (Cruciferae)
Plant Family: Barassocaceae (Cruciferae)
Scientific Name: Brassica campestris var. Rapifera
Turnips are among the oldest and most commonly used crop in the world.
Turnips were widely distributed in ancient times from the Mediterranean across Asia to the Pacific because they were easy to grow. Turnips were known among the Romans in the Christian era and among the Greeks before that.
The European types of turnip are the most common to us. It was grown in France both for food and stock feed beginning at about the time of Christ. Both the roots and greens are considered edible and were commonly boiled and baked in England during the reign of Henry VIII.
English explorers brought it to America in 1541. It has been planted throughout the country from the time of the colonists. The Native Americans adopted its culture and it became commonly used among them as well.
Most varieties of turnip are white-fleshed but there are also yellow fleshed turnips. Turnip leaves are somewhat rough, with sparse, stiff "hairs" on them.
It is primarily a cool-weather crop, suitable for summer culture only in the northernmost states or at high altitudes.