Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis

Read about Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture

Brassica chinensis, Linn. Pak-choi Cabbage. Fig. 630. Radical Ivs. broad and ample, glossy green, obovate or round-obovate in general outline, either entire or obscurely wavy or even crenate, tapering to a distinct and thick strong petiole, which is usually not prominently margined: pod large and tapering into a beak half an inch long: root sometimes tuberous (Fig. 631). —This plant is grown by the American Chinese, and is occasionally seen in other gardens (see Bailey, Bull. No. 67, Cornell Exp. Sta.). It is impossible to determine whether this particular plant is the one that Linnseus meant to distinguish by his Brassica chinensis, but it best answers the description in his Amcenitates (Vol. IV). In Linnaeus' herbarium is a Brassica marked "chinensis" in his own handwriting, but it shows purple fls. and has lyrate-lobed Ivs., whereas Linnaeus described his plant as having yellow fls. and cynoglossum-like Ivs.; probably not the original. The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.