brassicaceous

Brassicaceous refers to plants belonging to the Brassicaceae family, also commonly known as the mustard or cabbage family. This family is a large and economically important group of flowering plants within the order Brassicales. Plants in the Brassicaceae family are characterized by several common features. Their flowers typically have four petals arranged in a cross shape, and six stamens, two of which are shorter than the other four. The fruit is usually a silique or silicle, a type of dry fruit.

The Brassicaceae family includes many well-known and widely cultivated species. Among these are vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, and bok choy. Other familiar members include mustard, radishes, turnips, and horseradish. Many of these plants are prized for their edible leaves, roots, or seeds. The family is also known for containing many plants with distinct, often pungent, flavors due to the presence of sulfur-containing compounds called glucosinolates. These compounds are responsible for the characteristic taste and smell of mustard and related vegetables. The family is distributed globally, with a significant presence in temperate regions.