Brassica rupestris is a species of flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae, native to southwestern Italy, and Sicily.[1] The plant is known to grow on vertical limestone cliffs.[2] In the past it was proposed, based on morphology, that Brassica rupestris contributed to the ancestry of either kale or kohlrabi, but DNA evidence shows that it did not.[3]

Brassica rupestris
Flowers and leaves
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Brassicales
Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Brassica
Species:
B. rupestris
Binomial name
Brassica rupestris

Taxonomy edit

Brassica rupestris was described and named by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque in 1810.[1] In 1997 Francesco Raimondo and Pietro Mazzola erected a subspecies, Brassica rupestris subsp. hispida, based on very slight differences including leaf hairiness and silique size, which is not supported by molecular studies.[2]

Subtaxa edit

The following subtaxa are currently accepted:[1]

  • Brassica rupestris subsp. hispida Raimondo & Mazzola – Sicily
  • Brassica rupestris subsp. rupestris – southwestern Italy, Sicily

Chemistry edit

There were a number of substances of note found in the roots and shoots of B. rupestris. These were tartaric acid ester, reduced glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid, glucobrassicin, and glucoraphanin.[4]

Distribution and habitat edit

Brassica rupestris subsp. rupestris is found in mountainous areas of Calabria and Sicily, and has been reassessed as Least Concern, while B. rupestris subsp. hispida is found in a number of stations in Sicily and has been reassessed as Vulnerable.[2] Both subspecies typically live on near-vertical limestone cliffs, with B. rupestris subsp. rupestris found from 0 to 1,100 m (0 to 3,600 ft) above sea level, and B. rupestris subsp. hispida found from 800 to 1,300 m (2,600 to 4,300 ft).[2]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Brassica rupestris Raf". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d Perrino, Enrico Vito; Wagensommer, Robert Philipp (2022). "Crop Wild Relatives (CWRS) Threatened and Endemic to Italy: Urgent Actions for Protection and Use". Biology. 11 (2): 193. doi:10.3390/biology11020193. PMC 8869772. PMID 35205060.
  3. ^ Mabry, Makenzie E.; Turner-Hissong, Sarah D.; Gallagher, Evan Y.; McAlvay, Alex C.; An, Hong; Edger, Patrick P.; Moore, Jonathan D.; Pink, David A C.; Teakle, Graham R.; Stevens, Chris J.; Barker, Guy; Labate, Joanne; Fuller, Dorian Q.; Allaby, Robin G.; Beissinger, Timothy; Decker, Jared E.; Gore, Michael A.; Pires, J Chris (2021). "The Evolutionary History of Wild, Domesticated, and Feral Brassica oleracea (Brassicaceae)". Molecular Biology and Evolution. 38 (10): 4419–4434. doi:10.1093/molbev/msab183. PMC 8476135. PMID 34157722.
  4. ^ Muscolo, Adele; Sidari, Maria; Settineri, Giovanna; Papalia, Teresa; Mallamaci, Carmelo; Attinà, Emilio (2019). "Influence of Soil Properties on Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity of Brassica rupestris Raf". Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition. 19 (4): 808–815. doi:10.1007/s42729-019-00080-5. S2CID 201210462.