50 



DESCRIPTIVE BOTANY. 



Brassica campestris (Field Turnip). 



half-inch in diameter, spreading. Seed-vessel 1 to 2 inches long. Root some- 

 what in the shape of an inverted cone, or spindle-shaped, fleshy, 3 to 10 inches 



in diameter, and 6 to 1 2 inches 

 long, terminating in a slender, 

 tapering radicle, besprinkled 

 with fibrous rootlets. Biennial 

 herb. 



Under B. campestris there 

 are several forms. The most 

 important is the sub-species : 



Napa-brassica, L. var. ruta- 

 baga. (Rutabaga. Swedish 

 Turnip. Russia Turnip.) Root 

 subglobose, flesh yellowish. 



6. B. rapa, L. var. depressa. 

 (Flat Turnip. Red Top Tur- 

 nip. Strap-leaved Turnip.) 

 Stem and leaves as above in 

 No. 5, except that the leaves 

 are frequently narrow, long, 

 and linear ; the root flattened 

 at the poles, or flat above and 

 convex beneath ; radicle long 

 and slender. A favorite va- 

 riety for summer use. 



The turnip sports freely, 

 forming many varieties. The Swedish turnip varies in color and size, but 

 very little in quality. It is yellow or white. A recent sport is called the 

 White Stone. 



There are other varieties and forms 

 of considerable constancy, but those 

 already described are the most im- 

 portant. 



Geography. — The turnip is found 

 under cultivation in Greece, Egypt, 

 and Syria, but especially in middle 

 and northern Europe, and is said to 

 be indigenous to Sweden, Russia, and 

 Siberia. It was introduced by Euro- 

 pean colonists into North America, 

 and is largely grown all over the 

 middle and northern United States 

 and southern Canada. It has also 

 been introduced by the British into 

 India and Australia. 



Etymology. — Campestris, the spe- 

 cific name, is from the Latin cam- 

 pester, inhabiting an open place, or 

 field. The specific name, Rapa, is 

 from the Latin rapa, a turnip. Tur- 

 nip or Turnep is from the old French Brassica rapa (Flat Turuip). 



