Cauliflower
Species
Brassica oleracea
Cultivar group
Botrytis cultivar group
Origin
Northeast Mediterranean
Cultivar group members
Many; see text.

Cauliflower within Brassica oleracea, in the family Brassicaceae. It is an annual plant that reproduces by seed. Typically, only the head (the white curd) is eaten while the stalk and surrounding thick, green leaves are discarded. Cauliflower is very nutritious, and may be eaten cooked, raw or pickled. [1] Believed to be public domain. ... For other uses, see Species (disambiguation). ... Binomial name Brassica oleracea L. See also cabbage Brassica oleracea or Wild Cabbage, is a species of Brassica native to coastal southern and western Europe, where its resistance to salt and lime but intolerance of competition from other plants typically restricts its natural occurrence to limestone sea cliffs. ... This Osteospermum Pink Whirls is a successful cultivar. ... Binomial name Brassica oleracea L. See also cabbage Brassica oleracea or Wild Cabbage, is a species of Brassica native to coastal southern and western Europe, where its resistance to salt and lime but intolerance of competition from other plants typically restricts its natural occurrence to limestone sea cliffs. ... Genera See text. ... Peas are an annual plant. ... For other uses, see Pickle. ...

Its name is a variation of cole flower or kale flower (cole and kale being variations of the same word), an acknowledgment of its unusual place among a family of food plants which normally produces only leafy greens for eating. The Brassica oleracea species is the same species as cabbage, brussels sprouts, kale, broccoli and collard greens, though they are of different cultivar groups. Species See text. ... Kale or Borecole is a form of cabbage (Brassica oleracea Acephala Group), green in color, in which the central leaves do not form a head. ... Binomial name Brassica oleracea L. See also cabbage Brassica oleracea or Wild Cabbage, is a species of Brassica native to coastal southern and western Europe, where its resistance to salt and lime but intolerance of competition from other plants typically restricts its natural occurrence to limestone sea cliffs. ... Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. ... The Brussels sprout (Brassica oleracea Gemmifera Group) is a cultivar group of Wild Cabbage cultivated for its small (typically 2. ... Kale or Borecole is a form of cabbage (Brassica oleracea Acephala Group), green in color, in which the central leaves do not form a head. ... Broccoli is a plant of the Cabbage family, Brassicaceae (formerly Cruciferae). ... Collards, also called collard greens or borekale (Brassica oleracea Acephala Group), are various loose-leafed cultivars of the cabbage plant. ... Under the ICNCP, a Cultivar Group is a gathering of cultivars. ...

Horticultural techniques

Cultivation

The preferred garden soil for cauliflower is well drained, moist and has significant organic matter with a pH of 6 to 7. Cauliflower is typically started indoors six to eight weeks prior to setting out in the garden and is typically ready for harvest two months after transplanting. As with all brassicas, seeds germinate best with a soil temperature of 25±1 °C (77±2 °F). The vegetable requires a cool, moist climate - if temperatures go too high, the plants will not produce flower heads, if too low a temperature is reached, the plants might button, creating small heads. It is cold tolerant, but will not survive hard frosts. Of all the brassicas, cauliflowers have the largest number of growth requirements, and the ability to successfully grow cauliflower in a home garden is often thought to be the hallmark of well-managed soil and a good gardener.

The most common insect pests of cauliflower are cabbage worms. Aphids and flea beetles will also attack cauliflower. Control of pests can be achieved by using biological controls such as using geraniums and borage as companion plants to repel pests, the Bacillus thurengensis bacterium, predatory insects or chemical pesticides. Diseases of cauliflower include black rot, club root and viral yellows. Crop rotation helps to prevent fungal and bacterial diseases. The viral diseases are primarily spread by insects. Carpet beetle larvae damaging a specimen of Sceliphron destillatorius in an entomological collection A pest is an organism which has characteristics that are regarded as injurious or unwanted. ... The term cabbage worm is primarily used for any of three species of Lepidopteran whose larvae feed on cabbages and other cole crops. ... Families There are 10 families: Adelgidae Anoeciidae Aphididae Drepanosiphidae Homomasagymibutae Greenideidae Hormaphididae Lachnidae Mindaridae Pemphigidae Phloeomyzidae Phylloxeridae Thelaxidae Aphids, also known as greenfly, blackfly or plant lice, are minute plant-feeding insects in the superfamily Aphidoidea in the homopterous division of the order Hemiptera. ... For other uses, see Beetle (disambiguation). ... Not to be confused with germanium. ... Binomial name Borago officinalis L. Borage (Borago officinalis), also known as starflower, is an annual herb native to central and eastern Europe. ... Companion planting in gardening and agriculture is planting of different crops in close physical proximity. ... Binomial name Berliner 1915 Bacillus thuringiensis is a Gram-positive, soil dwelling bacterium of the genus Bacillus. ... Phyla/Divisions Actinobacteria Aquificae Bacteroidetes/Chlorobi Chlamydiae/Verrucomicrobia Chloroflexi Chrysiogenetes Cyanobacteria Deferribacteres Deinococcus-Thermus Dictyoglomi Fibrobacteres/Acidobacteria Firmicutes Fusobacteria Gemmatimonadetes Nitrospirae Omnibacteria Planctomycetes Proteobacteria Spirochaetes Thermodesulfobacteria Thermomicrobia Thermotogae Bacteria (singular, bacterium) are a major group of living organisms. ... This article is about biological infectious particles. ...

Cauliflower and broccoli output in 2005

FAO reports that in 2005, China and India were the top producers of cauliflower and broccoli. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 351 pixelsFull resolution (1425 × 625 pixel, file size: 58 KB, MIME type: image/png)This bubble map shows the global distribution of cauliflower and broccoli output in 2005 as a percentage of the top producer (China - 7,379,000 tonnes). ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 351 pixelsFull resolution (1425 × 625 pixel, file size: 58 KB, MIME type: image/png)This bubble map shows the global distribution of cauliflower and broccoli output in 2005 as a percentage of the top producer (China - 7,379,000 tonnes). ... Broccoli is a plant of the Cabbage family, Brassicaceae (formerly Cruciferae). ... Possible meanings: Faro Airport (Portugal) Federation of Astrobiology Organizations Financial Aid Office Food and Agriculture Organization This page expands a three-character combination which might be any or all of: an abbreviation, an acronym, an initialism, a word in English, or a word in another language. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Commercial production

About half of all cauliflower is raised in China and one fourth in India. In Europe, production has been in Spain since about 1990. In North America, production is primarily in California. The seasonal average f.o.b. shipping-point price for cauliflower in 2004 was $33.00 per 100 pounds ($0.73/kg) according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Largest metro area Greater Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... F.O.B redirects here. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Botanical varieties

Cauliflower and broccoli are the same species and have very similar structures, though cauliflower replaces the green flower buds with white inflorescence meristem. Broccoli is a plant of the Cabbage family, Brassicaceae (formerly Cruciferae). ... Binomial name Brassica oleracea L. See also cabbage Brassica oleracea or Wild Cabbage, is a species of Brassica native to coastal southern and western Europe, where its resistance to salt and lime but intolerance of competition from other plants typically restricts its natural occurrence to limestone sea cliffs. ... Red clover inflorescence (spike) An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers on a branch of a plant. ... Tunica-Corpus model of the apical meristem. ...

Major groups

There are four major groups of cauliflower.^[1]

• Italian. Diverse appearance, biennial and annual types. Includes white, Romanesco, various green, purple brown and yellow cultivars. The ancestral type from which the others were derived
• Northwest European biennial. Used in Europe for winter and early spring harvest. Developed in France in the 19th century. Includes the old cultivars Roscoff and Angers.
• Northern European annuals. Used in Europe and North America for summer and fall harvest. Developed in Germany in the 18th century. Includes old cultivars Erfurt and Snowball.
• Asian. Tropical cauliflower used in China and India. Developed in India during the 19th century from the now-abandoned Cornish type.^[2] Includes old varieties Early Patna and Early Benaras.

Varieties

Traditional varieties include 'Snowball', 'Hybrid White', 'Super Snowball', 'Snow Crown', 'Mayflower', Candid Charm', 'Mormon', 'Agrahani', 'poushi', 'maghi', 'Snow White', 'Snow Grace'. Self-blanching varieties are 'Self Blanche', 'Early Tuscan', 'Late Tuscan'. Heirloom varieties include 'All the Year Round', 'Early Pearl', 'Early Snowball', 'Igloo', 'Violetta Italia' and 'Walcheren Winter'. Commercial varieties includue 'Fremont', 'Igloo' and 'Snow Crown'. A comprehensive list of varieties is maintained at North Carolina State University.^[3]

Colors

Orange cauliflower

• Orange cauliflower (B. oleracea L. var. botrytis) contains 25 times the level of Vitamin A of white varieties. This trait came from a natural mutant found in a cauliflower field in Canada.^[4] Cultivars include 'Cheddar' and 'Orange Bouquet'.
• Green cauliflower of the B. oleracea Botrytis group, is sometimes called broccoflower. It is available both with the normal curd shape and a variant spiky curd called "Romanesco broccoli" Both types have been commercially available in the US and Europe since the early 1990s. Romanesco's head is an example of a fractal image in nature, repeating itself in self-similarity at varying scales.^[5] Green curded varieties include 'Alverda', 'Green Goddess' and 'Vorda'. Romanesco varieties include 'Minaret' and 'Veronica'.

Purple cauliflower

• Purple cauliflower also exists. The purple color is caused by the presence of the antioxidant group anthocyanin, which can also be found in red cabbage and red wine.^[6] Varieties include 'Graffiti' and 'Purple Cape'. In Great Britain and southern Italy, a broccoli with tiny flower buds is sold as a vegetable under the name "purple cauliflower." It is not the same as standard cauliflower with a purple curd.

Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The structure of retinol, the most common dietary form of vitamin A Vitamin A is an essential human nutrient. ... This article is about biological mutants. ... It has been suggested that this article be split into multiple articles accessible from a disambiguation page. ... Romanesco Broccoli, showing fractal forms Romanesco broccoli or fractal broccoli is a vegetable member of the Brassica oleracea L. species. ... The boundary of the Mandelbrot set is a famous example of a fractal. ... A self-similar object is exactly or approximately similar to a part of itself. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Plants with abnormally high anthocyanin quantities are popular as ornamental plants - here, a selected purple-leaf cultivar of European Beech Anthocyanins (from Greek: (anthos) = flower + (kyanos) = blue) are water-soluble vacuolar flavonoid pigments that appear red to blue, according to pH. They are synthesized exclusively by organisms of the plant... Cultivar Group Brassica oleracea Capitata Group The Red Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. ... This article is about the beverage. ...

Nutrition

Cauliflower is low in fat, high in dietary fiber, folate, water and vitamin C, possessing a very high nutritional density. As a member of the brassica family, cauliflower shares with broccoli and cabbage several phytochemicals which are beneficial to human health, including sulforaphane, an anti-cancer compound released when cauliflower is chopped or chewed. In addition, the compound indole-3-carbinol, which appears to work as an anti-estrogen, appears to slow or prevent the growth of tumors of the breast and prostate.^[7] Cauliflower also contains other glucosinolates besides sulfurophane, substances which may improve the liver's ability to detoxify carcinogenic substances.^[8] A high intake of cauliflower has been found to reduce the risk of aggressive prostate cancer.^[9] Lactose is a disaccharide found in milk. ... Dietary fibers are the indigestible portion of plant foods that move food through the digestive system, absorbing water and making defecation easier. ... In chemistry, especially biochemistry, a fatty acid is a carboxylic acid often with a long unbranched aliphatic tail (chain), which is either saturated or unsaturated. ... A representation of the 3D structure of myoglobin, showing coloured alpha helices. ... Thiamine mononitrate Thiamine or thiamin, also known as vitamin B1, is a colorless compound with chemical formula C12H17ClN4OS. It is soluble in water and insoluble in alcohol. ... Riboflavin (E101), also known as vitamin B2, is an easily absorbed micronutrient with a key role in maintaining health in animals. ... Niacin, also known as nicotinic acid or vitamin B3, is a water-soluble vitamin whose derivatives such as NADH, NAD, NAD+, and NADP play essential roles in energy metabolism in the living cell and DNA repair. ... Pantothenic acid, also called vitamin B5 (a B vitamin), is a water-soluble vitamin required to sustain life (essential nutrient). ... Pyridoxine Pyridoxal phosphate Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin. ... Folic acid (the anion form is called folate) is a B-complex vitamin (once called vitamin M) that is important in preventing neural tube defects (NTDs) in the developing human fetus. ... This article is about the nutrient. ... For other uses, see Calcium (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Iron (disambiguation). ... Introduction Magnesium is an essential element in biological systems. ... General Name, symbol, number phosphorus, P, 15 Chemical series nonmetals Group, period, block 15, 3, p Appearance waxy white/ red/ black/ colorless Standard atomic weight 30. ... General Name, symbol, number potassium, K, 19 Chemical series alkali metals Group, period, block 1, 4, s Appearance silvery white Standard atomic weight 39. ... General Name, symbol, number zinc, Zn, 30 Chemical series transition metals Group, period, block 12, 4, d Appearance bluish pale gray Standard atomic weight 65. ... Reference Daily Intake (RDI) is the daily dietary intake level of a nutrient considered sufficient to meet the requirements of nearly all (97–98%) healthy individuals in each life-stage and gender group. ... Dietary fibers are the indigestible portion of plant foods that move food through the digestive system, absorbing water and making defecation easier. ... Folic acid (the anion form is called folate) is a B-complex vitamin (once called vitamin M) that is important in preventing neural tube defects (NTDs) in the developing human fetus. ... This article is about the nutrient. ... This page is a candidate to be copied to Wiktionary. ... Species See text. ... Broccoli is a plant of the Cabbage family, Brassicaceae (formerly Cruciferae). ... Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. ... Phytochemicals are sometimes referred to as phytonutrients; these terms are often used interchangeably. ... Sulforaphane is an anticancer and antimicrobial compound that can be obtained by eating cruciferous vegetables such as brussel sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, bok choy, kale, collards, broccoli sprouts, chinese broccoli, broccoli raab, kohlrabi, mustard, turnip, radish, rocket, and watercress. ... Indole-3-carbinol Indole-3-carbinol (C9H9NO) is found naturally in cruciferous vegetables and is thought to have anticarcinogenic, antioxidant and anti-atherogenic activities due to its estrogen modulating activity. ... Estriol. ... The glucosinolates are a class of organic compounds that contain sulfur, nitrogen and a group derived from glucose. ... For the bird, see Liver bird. ... Prostate cancer is a disease in which cancer develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. ...

Cauliflower also contain compounds which can be harmful to certain individuals, including goitrogens which suppress the functioning of the thyroid gland, and purine which is broken down into uric acid and can cause or aggravate gout or kidney stones.^[8] Goitrogens are substances that suppress the function of the thyroid gland, and which can also cause an enlargement of the thyroid. ... Purine is a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound, consisting of a pyrimidine ring fused to an imidazole ring. ... “Bladder stone” redirects here. ...

Cooking

Cauliflower can be roasted, boiled, fried, steamed or eaten raw. When cooking, the outer leaves and thick stalks are removed, leaving only the florets. The leaves are also edible, but are most often discarded.^[10] The florets should be broken into similar-sized pieces so they are cooked evenly. After eight minutes of steaming, or five minutes of boiling, the florets should be soft, but not mushy (depending on size). Stirring while cooking can break the florets into smaller, uneven pieces. Cauliflower is often served with a cheese sauce, as in the dish cauliflower cheese, or with a meat gravy. Fried cauliflower (also known as arnabeet mekleh, or aranabeet) is a vegetarian dish often served cold, consisting of fried cauliflower with tahini sauce, lettuce, parsley and tomatoes, served on pita bread or sliced bread, often grilled or toasted. ... Cauliflower cheese, sometimes called cauliflower and cheese, is a British dish, usually eaten as a main course for lunch or dinner, that is similar to macaroni cheese, though using cauliflower instead of macaroni. ... This article is about the food. ... for the guitarist, see Dave Felton Gravy is a type of sauce, usually made from the juices that naturally run from meat or vegetables during cooking. ...

Low carb dieters can use cauliflower as a reasonable substitute for potatoes because while they can produce a similar texture, or mouth feel, they lack the starch of potatoes; cauliflower is actually used to produce a potato substitute known as fauxtato. Low-carbohydrate diets or low carb diets, are food diet programs for weight loss and dietary health that advocate restricted carbohydrate consumption, based on research that ties carbohydrate consumption with increased blood insulin levels, and increased insulin with obesity. ... Binomial name Solanum tuberosum L. The potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a perennial plant of the Solanaceae, or nightshade, family, grown for its starchy tuber. ... Mouthfeel is a product’s physical and chemical interaction in the mouth. ... Starch (CAS# 9005-25-8, chemical formula (C6H10O5)n,[1]) is a mixture of amylose and amylopectin (usually in 20:80 or 30:70 ratios). ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

Footnotes

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 262nd day of the year (263rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 240th day of the year (241st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 348th day of the year (349th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 348th day of the year (349th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

References

• Sharma, S.R, Singh, P.K., Chable, V. Tripathi, S.K. (2004). "A review of hybrid cauliflower development". Journal of New Seeds 6. doi:10.1300/J153v06n02_08. 

A digital object identifier (or DOI) is a standard for persistently identifying a piece of intellectual property on a digital network and associating it with related data, the metadata, in a structured extensible way. ...

External links

• PROTAbase on Brassica oleracea (cauliflower and broccoli)
• Fractal dimensions of a green broccoli and a white cauliflower (Kim) (PDF)
• Orange Cauliflower Development