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Flat Cabbage Brassica rapa var. rosularis

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
BRAS-ih-ka RAY-puh ross-YOO-lair-iss
Description

Tat Soi is a cool weather vegetable plant in the mustard family that is grown as a food crop. The genus name Brassica is Latin for cabbage. There are both upright and prostrate varieties with the leaves generally being very dark and shiny and either smooth or crinkly. The flavor is similar to Bok Choi and the plant can be harvested at various stages of growth from young leaves to a mature rosette.  The young leaves and small rosettes are crisp, thick and tender with a mild taste.  They are typically used in salads and stir-fry.  It is also used in preparing soups, or added to other dishes, such as pasta. 

This plant can be grown as a spring or fall crop. Plant in fertile, moist, well-drained soil in full sun by direct seeding or transplants. The prostrate varieties can withstand temperatures below zero and can be harvested during the winter. When grown for a fall crop, protection from the summer heat is advised.  Higher temperatures and lack of proper water can cause the plants to bolt.  That will cause the plant to produce its flower stems prematurely, leading to a poor harvest.

The foliage on Tat Soi is also attractive enough to be grown in the front border of a flower bed.

Potential problems, insects and diseases: Slugs, snails, cutworms, and flea beetles can be a problem.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy leaves#vegetable garden#cool weather plant#vegetable#edible leaves#cool season vegetable#problem for horses
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy leaves#vegetable garden#cool weather plant#vegetable#edible leaves#cool season vegetable#problem for horses
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Brassica
    Species:
    rapa
    Family:
    Brassicaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Mediterranean, Iran, Africa
    Play Value:
    Buffer
    Easy to Grow
    Edible fruit
    Edibility:
    Edible leaves raw or cooked.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Cool Season Vegetable
    Edible
    Ground Cover
    Vegetable
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Prostrate
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Siliqua
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit dries and splits when ripe.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Cross
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small, insignificant, yellow 4-petaled flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Black
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Peltate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The cup shaped, very dark green, shiny leaves are arranged in a dense rosette are either smooth or crinkled.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Problems:
    Problem for Horses