Rape
Brassica napus
- Native to:
- France, Labrador
Didier Descouens
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Genus:
- Brassica
- Species:
- Brassica napus
- USDA Symbol:
- BRNA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Biennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Armyworm moth (Pseudaletia unipuncta), Bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata), cabbage budworm moth (Hellula phidilealis), cabbage webworm (Hellula rogatalis), darksided cutworm (Euxoa messoria), kidney-spotted minor (Lacinipolia renigera), nutmeg (Discestra trifolii), Striped Garden Caterpillar Moth (Trichordestra legitima), tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta), Yellow-striped armyworm (Spodoptera ornithogalli), zebra caterpillar moth (Melanchra picta), Large Marble (Euchloe ausonides), Sara Orangetip (Anthocharis sara)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers nutrient-rich conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 3–10 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily at soil temperatures of 10-30°C. No pretreatment required; direct sow in spring or fall.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.