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Broccoli

Broccoli, or Brassica oleracea var. italica, is a vegetable belonging to the cabbage family or Brassicaceae. It’s a great plant for the cold growing season. It is eaten as a vegetable and produces a large flower head and stems. Dark green leaves surround the heads.

Broccoli - Brassica oleracea var. italica
Broccoli – Brassica oleracea var. italica

Other vegetables in the Brassicaceae family are cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and kohlrabi.

Broccoli was originally grown in the Roman Empire and later cultivated in Southern Italy before it spread throughout Europe.

According to Penn State University, this vegetable was introduced in England in 1720.

Read about how to care for and grow broccoli.

Broccoli Care and Growing Guides