Chinese Kale Brassica oleracea (Alboglabra Group)
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- BRAS-ih-ka ol-ur-RAY-see-uh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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The Alboglabra Group of Brassica oleracea includes Chinese kale and Chinese broccoli. The genus name Brassica is Latin for cabbage. These vegetables are commonly used in Thia and Vietnamese cooking. It can be used in a stir-fry, boiled and eaten like broccoli, or fried along with other vegetables and/or meats. Its leaves, which can be smooth or wrinkled, are similar to broccoli. Its flowering stalks, young leaves, and buds are best for eating. They tend to toughen as they age.
Harvest young stems and leaves as the first flower appears. Harvesting can be accomplished by two methods. To harvest a plant, stalks can be cut 6-8" from the top of the plant. For an extended supply of growth, strip the lower leaves while leaving the inner leaves and buds to continue to produce new leaves. To maintain freshness after harvesting, tie three to four stems in bunches and store at 32-45 degrees F with 85 percent relative humidity.
These are heat-tolerant, hardy plants that can be grown year-round. In warmer climates, some afternoon shade is beneficial. Seed can be sown in spring, continuing into summer and fall. If grown in hot climates, harvesting should be done in a timely manner to prevent bolting. Its flavor typically improves when subject to frost.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Insects that have an effect include flea beetles, diamond-back moth, borers, and cabbage looper. At a lower level, aphids, grasshoppers and crickets. Spraying pesticides is not recommended for this edible plant. A serious disease for this plant is damping-off. Providing good drainage will help to keep this disease at bay. It may cause contact dermatitis in some people.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common Cole crop diseases and other plant problems.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Hei'
White petals without wrinkled leaves. - 'Huanghuagelin'
Yellow petals and pale green leaves. - 'Huanghualenye'
Yellow petals and dark green leaves. - 'Large Leaf kailaan'
White petals and wrinkled leaves. - 'Nanjing huanghua'
White or yellow petals. - 'Nanjing huanghua'
White or yellow petals. - 'Small leaf kailaan'
White petals without wrinkley leaves.
- 'Hei'
- 'Hei', 'Huanghuagelin', 'Huanghualenye', 'Large Leaf kailaan', 'Nanjing huanghua', 'Nanjing huanghua', 'Small leaf kailaan'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Hei'
White petals without wrinkled leaves. - 'Huanghuagelin'
Yellow petals and pale green leaves. - 'Huanghualenye'
Yellow petals and dark green leaves. - 'Large Leaf kailaan'
White petals and wrinkled leaves. - 'Nanjing huanghua'
White or yellow petals. - 'Nanjing huanghua'
White or yellow petals. - 'Small leaf kailaan'
White petals without wrinkley leaves.
- 'Hei'
- 'Hei', 'Huanghuagelin', 'Huanghualenye', 'Large Leaf kailaan', 'Nanjing huanghua', 'Nanjing huanghua', 'Small leaf kailaan'
- Tags:
-
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Brassica
- Species:
- oleracea
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mediterranean region and southwestern Europe
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts pollinators.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Edibility:
- Leaves in this group are used in Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai cuisine.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Cool Season Vegetable
- Edible
- Vegetable
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
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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
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Siliqua
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- 1-3.5" long with a conical beak. The fruit will dry and split when ripe.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Winter
- Flower Shape:
- Cross
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The 4-petaled flowers are typically white, sometimes yellow, or red (rare).
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Orbicular
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Thick, firm, petiolate (stalk that attaches the leaf blade to the stem) leaves. The basal leaves are smaller, the upper leaves oblong.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- Single stem, narrow branching or forking.
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Meadow
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Riparian
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Problem for Horses
