Botanical Name Of Cauliflower

May 26, 2023, 16:45 IST

The Botanical name of Cauliflower is Brassica oleracea var. Botrytis. The edible portion of cauliflower is its head which is formed by the wrapping of the leaves around the stem. The head is edible and rich in nutrients. The genus of the vegetable is Brasicca and the family is Brassicaceae. In this article, we will discuss the Botanical name of Cauliflower in detail.

Importance of Botanical Names

Seven primary continents make up the world, and they are further broken down into subcontinents and nations. Every nation has a vast range of regional names, dialects, and cultures. In various parts of the world, the same species of plant may go by thousands of distinct names. The International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi, and Plants has established several criteria that assist in establishing Botanical names for the various plant species to eliminate this confusion and establish a uniform nomenclatural system.

These botanical names are precise and common, and aid in preventing misunderstandings between languages. Since these names are widely recognized by scientists, they encourage international collaboration in research and classification.

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Binomial Nomenclature

• Newly discovered plants and animals are given scientific names using the Binomial system of nomenclature.
• The botanical name is split into two pieces under this approach.
• The plant's genus and specific species are represented by the first and second parts, respectively.
• Each plant in the same species has a unique name thanks to the combination of the two words. As a result, a highly precise classification system is produced, reducing confusion.

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Botanical Name of Cauliflower

As evident from the Binomial nomenclature, the first word of the scientific name will be the genus which is Brassica and the second word will be the species name which is oleracea. The most commonly consumed variety of Cauliflower in the world is botrytis. Therefore, the complete botanical name can be written as Brassica oleracea var. Botrytis. Cauliflower is a common name that has originated from the Latin words ‘caulis’ meaning cabbage and ‘flos’ meaning flower. This vegetable has been produced by the modification of cabbage and is highly nutritious and rich in taste.

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Significance of Cauliflower

• The white-colored variety is mostly used for consumption as a vegetable, especially in the northern parts of the Indian subcontinent.
• Cauliflower is also cultivated and consumed in European countries like London, France, Spain, and Ireland because it is a winter crop.
• It contains multiple vitamins and nutrients because plants store most of their absorbed nutrients in the leaves and cauliflower is a leafy vegetable.
• It contains fiber and helps in weight loss because of its low-fat content, protects against cardiovascular diseases, and reduces carcinogens in the body.
• It can be consumed during constipation and diarrhea to replenish water content and prevent dehydration.
• Due to its antioxidant properties, it helps in blood purification and keeps the digestive tract healthy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is Cauliflower called scientifically?

Ans. The botanical or scientific name of Cauliflower is Brassica oleracea var. Botrytis. The genus of the plant is Brassica and its species name is oleracea. Var. is used to indicate variety which is Botrytis.

Q2. What is the importance of Cauliflower?

Ans. Cauliflower leaves are rich in fiber, nutrients, and water which helps in maintaining a healthy diet, assists in weight loss and also helps prevent dehydration.

Q3. Which compound provides anti-cancerous properties to Cauliflower?

Ans. Cauliflower contains a unique compound called Sulforaphane which reduces the cell division in tumor cells and prevents them from multiplying thereby, showing anti-cancerous properties.

Q4. Does cooking affect the health benefits of Cauliflower?

Ans. Cooking or boiling in water reduces the antioxidants present in the leaves and produces secondary metabolites like indole while raw cauliflower has high antioxidant concentration and is good for the heart.