Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica)

Broccoli varieties with green and purple heads.

Source: Wolf-Garten

Distribution, Yield, Use:

• Distribution:
  Prefers areas with mild winters in Italy, France, England, California, the Southern American States and sub-tropical Africa.
• Yield and use:
  See Cauliflower.
  The unripe heads contain 4-5% carbohydrate, 3-4% protein and 110 mg vitamin C/100g.

Region of origin: Region of cultivation:

• Cultivation and Breeding:
  Broccoli is considered to be a further development of cauliflower and has only been known since the 18th century. In contrast to cauliflower, the flower head developeds further before harvesting. It is ready for use when the flower buds are visible as small egg-shaped structures on the inflorescence axillary. Varieties exist with white, yellow, purple and green heads.
• Breeding aims:
  The breeding aims are similar to those of cauliflower.

Text by Dr. Wolfgang Schuchert
Adapted to HTML by R.Saedler