Rapistrum

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title: "Rapistrum" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["brassicaceae", "brassicaceae-genera", "plants-described-in-1769"] description: "Genus of flowering plants" topic_path: "general/brassicaceae" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapistrum" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Genus of flowering plants ::

| image = Bolletjesraket 19-05-2006 12.28.38.JPG | image_caption = Rapistrum rugosum | taxon = Rapistrum | authority = Crantz | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision =

• Rapistrum perenne (L.) All
• Rapistrum rugosum (L.) All | subdivision_ref = | synonyms =
• Arthrolobus Andrz. ex DC.
• Schrankia Medik. | synonyms_ref =

Rapistrum, the bastard cabbages, is a genus of the family Brassicaceae with a distinctive cross like arrangement of its petals. It is also known as wild-turnip or turnipweed. Species of Rapistrum are annual to perennials (Lifespan from 1 to 2 or more years). The yellow petals are accompanied by sepals that stand vertically at near right angles (erecto-patent). Leaf shape and arrangement varies from rough toothed (dentate) to a configuration of opposingly lobed pairs along the plant stalk, pinnately lobed.

Etymology

The word "Rapistrum" is formed from the Latin rapa ("turnip") and -astrum, ("incomplete resemblance").

Fruit

The genus Rapistrum has a characteristic fruit comprising two segments, one distal and one proximal:

• The distal (upper division) is the part of the fruit farthest away from the point of attachment. The distal is endowed with a ribbed spheroid base (globose) that tapers to form a narrowed projection. It holds a single seed.

• The proximal (lower division) is the part of the fruit nearest to the point of attachment. Possesses a more uniform narrower shape compared to the distal above, giving the fruit a waist. It holds a maximum of three seeds, more commonly none or one.

The fruit varies between species in the genus. The distal of R. rugosum is strongly ribbed and narrows to form a beak whereas R. perenne is comparatively less wrinkled and ends with a style that stubbornly resists detachment, 'a persistent style'.

When ripe the distal breaks away in an across-wise fashion, breaking transversely.

References

Bibliography

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References

1. "''Rapistrum'' Crantz". [[Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew]].
2. {{PLANTS
3. "Rapistrum".
4. Warwick, Suzanne I.. "Rapistrum".

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