Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Field Notes • Plant

Turnip

The turnip is a root vegetable in the mustard family, usually classified as *Brassica rapa* subsp.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

The turnip is a root vegetable in the mustard family, grown for its fleshy taproot and edible leaves. It is a cool-season crop that matures quickly and is cultivated worldwide.

What it is

Turnip (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa) is a hardy biennial plant, often grown as an annual. Its root is usually white or partly purple, and both the root and leafy greens are edible. It belongs to the Brassicaceae family, which includes cabbage, broccoli, and mustard.

Why it matters

Turnips have been cultivated for thousands of years and remain a staple in temperate regions. They are valued for their quick growth, versatility in cooking (raw or cooked), and use as livestock feed. In Canada, they are a familiar cool-season vegetable in gardens and markets.

Key details

Turnips are a fast-growing cool-weather crop, maturing in about six to eight weeks. They are best harvested young to avoid fibrous roots. The leaves, called turnip greens, are also edible and commonly cooked. Some larger varieties are grown as fodder.

In short

  • Turnip is a root vegetable in the mustard family.
  • Both the root and leaves are edible.
  • It is a fast-growing cool-season crop.
  • Cultivated for thousands of years worldwide.
Canadian angle

Turnips are a familiar cool-season vegetable in Canadian gardens and markets, especially in cooler regions where they grow well in spring and autumn.

Quick questions

What is a turnip?
A turnip is a root vegetable grown for its edible swollen taproot and leafy greens.
Are turnip leaves edible?
Yes. The leaves, often called turnip greens, are edible and commonly cooked or used in salads.
How long does turnip take to grow?
Turnips are fast-growing and can mature in roughly six to eight weeks under suitable conditions.

Sources

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/plant/turnip
    Supports: Scientific classification, growth habit, origin, and general description.
  2. UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions — https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/turnips/
    Supports: History, nutrition, crop type, and Brassica family relationship.
  3. Royal Horticultural Society — https://www.rhs.org.uk/vegetables/turnips/grow-your-own
    Supports: Growth rate, edibility of roots and leaves, and harvesting guidance.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turnip
    Supports: General overview of turnip, common and alternate usage, and distinction from swede/rutabaga.
  5. NC State Extension Plant Toolbox — https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/brassica-rapa-rapifera-group/
    Supports: Classification and origin in Asia.