Back
Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus cultivar [European Radish]
Family Name: | Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) |
Synonyms: | Raphanus sativus [European radish] |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
---|---|
Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
Lifespan (in Singapore) | Annual |
Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Maximum Height | 0.6 m to 0.9 m |
Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 0.3 m to 0.6 m |
Description and Ethnobotany
Growth Form | Annual or biennial herb. |
---|---|
Roots | The edible taproot may be round, cylindrical or tapered. |
Foliage | Oblong leaves about 5-30 cm long are sparsely covered in short, white hairs and arranged in a rosette. |
Flowers | The 4-petaled flowers are arranged along a spike inflorescence. |
Fruit | The dry, dehiscent fruit is narrowly cylindrical with tapering ends and known as a silique. |
Cultivation | The edible taproot is usually harvested before flowering to ensure that it will be succulent. |
Etymology | The genus Raphanus is derived from the Greek word for radish and the specific epithet sativus means cultivated. |
Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits, Edible Leaves, Edible Storage Organs Food (Fruit or Vegetable): The taproot is typically eaten raw and added to salads. The taproot becomes more spicy as the plant matures and it eventually becomes woody. Young leaves can be cooked as a leafy vegetable. The immature, pod-like fruits are also edible. |
Landscaping Features
Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden |
---|
Plant Care and Propagation
Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
---|---|
Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
Fertilizing | Before sowing seed, the soil should be mixed with organic fertilizer or aged manure. |
Potential Problems | Pests that commonly attack radishes are flea beetles, slugs, and snails. |
Diseases | Radishes are commonly attacked by Brassica downy mildew. |
Pest(s) | Chewing Insects |
Propagation Method | Seed |
Planting Distance | 15 cm |
Foliar
Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
---|---|
Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute |
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
Young Flush Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute |
Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Rosulate / Rosette |
Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical) |
Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
Foliar Margin | Entire |
Foliar Apex - Tip | Rounded |
Foliar Base | Attenuate, Oblique / Asymmetrical |
Floral (Angiosperm)
Flower Colour(s) | Pink |
---|---|
Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Flower Location | Terminal |
Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
Individual Flower Shape | Labiate / Lipped |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green |
---|---|
Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth |
Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
Fruit Type |
Image Repository
Others
Master ID | 33659 |
---|---|
Species ID | 8073 |
Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |