Brassicaceous

/ˌbræsɪˈkeɪʃəs/ adjective

Definition

Belonging to or relating to the Brassicaceae family, which includes all the cabbage, mustard, and related plants.

Etymology

From 'brassica' + the family suffix -aceous (meaning 'of the nature of'). This formal botanical term classifies plant families by shared characteristics.

Kelly Says

All brassicaceous plants share the same number of stamens arranged in a cross pattern—Linnaeus noticed this and named the whole family Cruciferae, meaning 'cross-bearing,' centuries before DNA proved they were actually related!

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