Rape

Brassica napus napus

Physical Characteristics

Brassica napus napus is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Europe - Mediterranean. Naturalized in Britain[17].

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Oil Oil Edible Uses: Condiment Oil Oil 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].

Medicinal Uses

Diuretic Emollient The root is emollient and diuretic[240]. The juice of the roots is used in the treatment of chronic coughs and bronchial catarrh[240, 269]. The seed, powdered, with salt is said to be a folk remedy for cancer[269]. Rape oil is used in massage and oil baths, it is believed to strengthen the skin and keep it cool and healthy. With camphor it is applied as a remedy for rheumatism and stiff joints[269].

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.