Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala DC.

Description. It is a biennial herbaceous plant up to 60 cm tall. In the first year, it forms a thick stem with a rosette of fleshy leaves with heavily indented edges. In the second year, it forms flowering shoots with yellow flowers. Habitat. The homeland of the plant is Western Europe. In Russia, it is grown as an ornamental. Application. Decorative. Only plants of the first year are used. As a result of the work of breeders, varieties are obtained that differ in leaves of various shapes and colors. Usually, the outer leaves of the rosette have various shades of green, and the inner ones are white, pink, purple and purple. Among gardeners, cabbage is valued because it retains decorative properties until late autumn (in the Middle Belt - until November). Chemical composition and medicinal properties. Cabbage leaves contain sugars, proteins, rich in various vitamins and mineral salts. Definition and similar plants. Plant of the cruciferous family. The genus Brassica (about 100 species) is known primarily for the fact that many of its species are used for food: Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata L.), Brussels sprout (Brassica oleracea L. var. gemmifera (DC.) Thell.), Kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea L. var. gongyloides L.) and others.

Ornamental cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala DC.) (icnet.ru)