Brassicaceae

Defining Characteristics

• 4 petals arranged in a cross (cruciform), giving the former name Cruciferae
• 6 stamens: 4 long (tetradynamous) and 2 short
• Glucosinolates (mustard oil glycosides) producing pungent flavor when broken down
• Fruit a silique (elongated) or silicle (short, wide), a dry dehiscent capsule with a false septum (replum)
• 4 sepals in 2 pairs
• Often alternate, simple to pinnately lobed leaves

Notable Genera

• Brassica (cabbage, mustard, broccoli, turnip, canola)
• Raphanus (radish)
• Arabidopsis (thale cress — model organism)
• Nasturtium / Rorippa (watercress)
• Alyssum (alyssum)
• Cardamine (bittercress)

Notes

Economically one of the most important plant families: Brassica alone provides cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, turnip, and canola oil. Arabidopsis thaliana is the primary model organism in plant molecular genetics.