Pak Choi

Brassica rapa chinensis

Basic Information

Family: Brassicaceae or Cruciferae

Genus: brassica

Plant ID (slug): brassica-rapa-chinensis

Numeric ID: 20450

USDA Hardiness: 6-9

Ratings

Physical Characteristics

Brassica rapa chinensis is a BIENNIAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft). 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 and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

A cultivar of garden origin.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Oil Stem Edible Uses: Oil Leaves - raw or cooked[46, 52, 61, 116]. They can be eaten at any stage from seedling to mature plant[206]. Well-flavoured, they are sweet with a hint of mustard[206].The leaves are also dried for winter use[206]. The leaves have pronounced stems and these can also be eaten, they tend to have a mild, almost bland flavour[206]. A nutritional analysis is available[218]. Immature flowering stems - cooked like broccoli[206]. A sweet flavour[206]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed.

Medicinal Uses

Antirheumatic Antiscorbutic Resolvent The leaf is antiarthritic, antiscorbutic and resolvent[218].