# Cabbage (*Brassica oleracea*)

Cabbages are leafy green vegetables that grow in round or oval shapes. They are crunchy and taste delicious in salads, soups, and stir-fries.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Gardens
- **Also known as:** Chinese Cabbage, Napa Cabbage, Savoy Cabbage

![Cabbage](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Brassica_oleracea_-_Royal_Botanical_Garden%252C_Madrid.JPG&width=800)

Photo: Daderot, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brassica_oleracea_-_Royal_Botanical_Garden%252C_Madrid.JPG)

## Appearance

The Cabbage is a leafy green, purple, or white plant forming a dense, round or oval head. Its thick, overlapping leaves can be smooth or crinkled, creating a compact sphere often nestled close to the ground and distinctly ribbed.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Brassicales
- **Family:** Brassicaceae
- **Genus:** Brassica

## Interesting facts

- All broccoli, kale, and Brussels sprouts actually come from the same wild cabbage ancestor!
- Cabbage juice was once a secret remedy for stomach problems and ulcers.
- If left to grow, cabbage sprouts tall flower stalks reaching over five feet!
- The world's heaviest cabbage weighed over 138 pounds, heavier than many people!

## Special abilities

- **Frost Fighter:** Cabbage can grow in cool weather, even tolerating light frosts, thanks to special sugars that act like antifreeze in its cells.
- **Nutrient Storage:** Cabbage has dense, packed leaves that store lots of water and nutrients, helping it survive and grow even when conditions are tough.
- **Waxy Shield:** Cabbage leaves have a natural waxy coating that repels water and makes it harder for small pests to grip, keeping them healthy.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-60 cm
- **Spread:** 30-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Biennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** Small White butterfly (*Pieris rapae*) — Its caterpillars munch on cabbage leaves.
- **Eaten by:** Cabbage Aphid (*Brevicoryne brassicae*) — Tiny insects that suck sap from the leaves.
- **Pollinates:** Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Bees visit its yellow flowers for nectar and pollen.

## Traits

- [Biennial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/biennial): Biennial plants complete their life cycle over two growing seasons, typically forming foliage in the first year and flowering/seeding in the second.
- [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
- [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
- [Cold Hardy](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cold-hardy): Cold hardy plants are able to withstand low temperatures and freezing conditions without significant damage.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)
- [Vegetables](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/vegetables)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always wash cabbage thoroughly before eating to remove any dirt or insects.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Cabbage?

Compare leaves, stems, flowers, pods and the part you eat. Seedlings can look like unrelated garden plants until their mature leaves come in. Vegetable Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Cabbage?

30-60 cm

### How wide does Cabbage spread?

30-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on Cabbage?

1-2 cm

### When does Cabbage bloom?

Summer

### Is Cabbage edible?

Yes

### Is Cabbage toxic?

None

### What is Cabbage's lifecycle?

Biennial

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Cabbage: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cabbage)