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| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
 
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
 
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}}
{{otheruses4|the vegetable|the band|Radish (band)}}
      
The '''radish''' (''Raphanus sativus'') is an [[Eating|edible]] [[root vegetable]] of the [[Brassicaceae]] family that was domesticated in [[Europe]] in pre-[[Roman Empire|Roman]] times.  They are grown and consumed throughout the world, and in addition to their use as a food, radishes have uses as an [[Alternative medicine|alternative treatment]] for a variety of medial conditions, and the seeds can be used as a [[biofuel]].  Radishes have numerous varieties, varying in size, color and duration of required cultivation time.   
 
The '''radish''' (''Raphanus sativus'') is an [[Eating|edible]] [[root vegetable]] of the [[Brassicaceae]] family that was domesticated in [[Europe]] in pre-[[Roman Empire|Roman]] times.  They are grown and consumed throughout the world, and in addition to their use as a food, radishes have uses as an [[Alternative medicine|alternative treatment]] for a variety of medial conditions, and the seeds can be used as a [[biofuel]].  Radishes have numerous varieties, varying in size, color and duration of required cultivation time.   
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==History==
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{{Refimprovesect|date=August 2007}}
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Although the radish was a well-established crop in [[Hellenistic]] and [[Roman Empire|Roman]] times, which leads to the assumption that it was brought into cultivation at an earlier time, Zohary and Hopf note that "there are almost no archeological records available" to help determine its earlier history and domestication. Wild forms of the radish and its relatives the [[mustard plant|mustards]] and [[turnip]] can be found over west Asia and Europe, suggesting that their domestication took place somewhere in that area. However Zohary and Hopf conclude, "Suggestions as to the origins of these plants are necessarily based on linguistic considerations."<ref>Daniel Zohary and Maria Hopf, ''Domestication of plants in the Old World'', third edition (Oxford: University Press, 2000), p. 139</ref>
      
==Cultivation==
 
==Cultivation==
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== Varieties ==
 
== Varieties ==
[[Image:Bunch of radishes.jpg|thumb|A bunch of radishes]]
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[[Image:November Radish.jpg|thumb|Variety of November harvested radishes]]
 
Broadly speaking, radishes can be categorized into four main types (summer, fall, winter, and spring) and a variety of shapes, colours, and sizes, such as black or multi-coloured radishes, with round or elongated roots that can grow longer than a [[parsnip]].
 
Broadly speaking, radishes can be categorized into four main types (summer, fall, winter, and spring) and a variety of shapes, colours, and sizes, such as black or multi-coloured radishes, with round or elongated roots that can grow longer than a [[parsnip]].
    
=== Spring or summer radishes ===
 
=== Spring or summer radishes ===
   
Sometimes referred to as European radishes, or as spring radishes if they're typically planted in cooler weather, summer radishes are generally small and have a relatively short 3-4 week cultivation time.{{Fact|date=September 2007}}
 
Sometimes referred to as European radishes, or as spring radishes if they're typically planted in cooler weather, summer radishes are generally small and have a relatively short 3-4 week cultivation time.{{Fact|date=September 2007}}
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=== Winter varieties ===
 
=== Winter varieties ===
 
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[[Image:Bunch of radishes.jpg|thumb|A bunch of radishes]]
 
Various winter varieties can actually be grown throughout the growing season, from early spring to fall, but take their name from their ability to be stored during the non-growing winter months. Sizes are generally than the summer varieties, and cultivation often takes six to eight weeks.{{Fact|date=September 2007}}
 
Various winter varieties can actually be grown throughout the growing season, from early spring to fall, but take their name from their ability to be stored during the non-growing winter months. Sizes are generally than the summer varieties, and cultivation often takes six to eight weeks.{{Fact|date=September 2007}}
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=== Seed pod varieties ===
 
=== Seed pod varieties ===
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The seeds of radishes grow in pods, following flowering that happens when left to grow past their normal harvesting period. The seeds are edible, and are sometimes used as a crunchy, spicy addition to salads.<ref name="peterson1999" /> Some varieties are grown specifically for their seeds or seed pods, rather than their roots.  The Rat-tailed radish, an old European variety, has long, thin, curly pods. In the 17th century, the pods were often pickled and served with meat.<ref name="peterson1999" /> The München Bier variety supplies spicy seeds that are sometimes served raw as an accompaniment to beer in Germany.{{fact|date=September 2007}}
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The seeds of radishes grow in pods, following flowering that happens when left to grow past their normal harvesting period. The seeds are edible, and are sometimes used as a crunchy, spicy addition to salads.<ref name="peterson1999" /> Some varieties are grown specifically for their seeds or seed pods, rather than their roots.  The Rat-tailed radish, an old European variety, has long, thin, curly pods. In the 17th century, the pods were often pickled and served with meat.<ref name="peterson1999" /> The München Bier variety supplies spicy seeds that are sometimes served raw as an accompaniment to beer in Germany.
 
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== Nutritional value ==
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{{nutritionalvalue | name=Radish, raw, root only | kJ=66| protein=0.68 g | fat=0.10 g | carbs=3.40 g | fiber=1.6 g | | sugars=1.86 g | iron_mg=0.34 | calcium_mg=25 | magnesium_mg=10 | phosphorus_mg=20 | potassium_mg=233 | zinc_mg=0.28 | vitC_mg=14.8 | pantothenic_mg=0.165 | vitB6_mg=0.071 | folate_ug=25 | thiamin_mg=0.012 | riboflavin_mg=0.039 | niacin_mg=0.254 | right=1 | source_usda=1 }}
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Radishes are rich in [[ascorbic acid]], [[folic acid]], and [[potassium]]. They are a good source of [[vitamin B6]], [[riboflavin]], [[magnesium]], [[copper]], and [[calcium]]. One cup of sliced red radish bulbs provides approximately 20 [[Calorie]]s or less, coming largely from [[carbohydrate]]s, making radishes, relative to their size, a very filling food for their caloric value.
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==Uses==
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===In cooking===
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The most popular part for eating is the napiform [[taproot]], although the entire plant is edible and the tops can be used as a [[leaf vegetable]]. The skin comes in a variety of colours. Most commonly known is the round, red-skinned variety but other varieties may have a pink, white or gray-black skin, and there is a yellow-skinned variety.
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The bulb of the radish is usually eaten raw, but tougher specimens can be steamed. The raw flesh has a crisp texture and a pungent, peppery flavor, caused by chewing [[glucosinolate]]s and the enzyme myrosinase in the radish, that, when brought together form [[allyl isothiocyanate]]s , also present in [[mustard plant|mustard]], [[horseradish]] and [[wasabi]].
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===In medicine===
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Radishes are suggested as an [[Alternative medicine|alternative]] treatment for a variety of ailments including [[whooping cough]], [[cancer]], [[cough]]s, gastric discomfort, [[liver]] problems, [[constipation]], [[dyspepsia]], [[gallbladder]] problems, [[arthritis]], [[gallstone]]s, [[kidney stone]]s<ref>[http://www.healingfoodreference.com/radish.html Healing foods page for radishes]</ref> and [[intestinal parasite]]s.<ref>[http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Raphanus+sativus Plants for the Future page on radishes]</ref>
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===In industry===
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The seeds of the ''[[Raphanus sativus]]'' species can be pressed to extract [[vegetable oil|seed oil]]. Wild radish seeds contain up to 48% oil content, and while not suitable for human consumption the oil has promise as a source of [[biofuel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plantoils.in/uses/fuel/fuel.html|title=Plant Oils as Fuel: Radish oil}}</ref>
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The oilseed radish grows well in cool climates.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.covercrops.msu.edu/CoverCrops/O_Radish/oilseed_radish.htm|title=Oilseed radish}}</ref>
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== Radishes in popular culture ==
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{{Trivia|date=August 2007}}
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* Radishes were the staple food of the three main races of the [[Fraggle Rock]] universe - the Fraggles, Doozers and Gorgs.
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* In 2005 in Japan, a giant radish grew through a section of pavement. Named Dokonjo [[Daikon]], the vegetable received considerable interest from the public, and toy shops began stocking giant radish dolls.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4677262.stm Giant radish grows through pavement in Japan] [[:ja:ど根性野菜|[Japanese wikipedia article]]]</ref>
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* [[Murder, She Wrote]] protagonist [[Jessica Fletcher]] was revealed to be severely allergic to radishes.
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* [[Luna Lovegood]], a character from the [[Harry Potter]] series, wears radish earrings.
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* In [[The Simpsons]] episode [[The Wife Aquatic]] local bully [[Jimbo Jones]] wonders what a radish is, saying "It's like an apple did it with an onion," referring to procreative copulation and hybridization.
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* The Nepalese word for radish is "mulaa" and is a euphemism for penis.  In Nepal, the large, long Asian radish is the common variety.
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* An early [[Homestar Runner]] cartoon, called "The Reddest Radish" features [[Strong Bad]] stealing [[Marzipan (Homestar Runner)|Marzipan]]'s prize radish.
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* In the [[French Revolutionary Calendar]], [[April 8]] was dedicated to radishes.
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* Radishes is the name of the comic strip [[Peanuts]] in [[Denmark]].
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* The character of [[Raditz]] in [[Dragonball Z]] is a name pun on Radish.
      
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
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== External links ==
 
== External links ==
{{commons|Raphanus sativus|Radish}}
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*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radish
 
* [http://www.plantnames.unimelb.edu.au/Sorting/Raphanus.html#sativus Multilingual taxonomic information from the University of Melbourne]
 
* [http://www.plantnames.unimelb.edu.au/Sorting/Raphanus.html#sativus Multilingual taxonomic information from the University of Melbourne]
 
* [http://digital.library.unt.edu/permalink/meta-dc-1562:1 ''Production of radishes''] hosted by the [http://digital.library.unt.edu/browse/department/govdocs/ UNT Government Documents Department]
 
* [http://digital.library.unt.edu/permalink/meta-dc-1562:1 ''Production of radishes''] hosted by the [http://digital.library.unt.edu/browse/department/govdocs/ UNT Government Documents Department]
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[[Category:Brassicaceae]]
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[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
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[[Category:Root vegetables]]
 

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