Turnip

The turnip or white turnip (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa) is a root vegetable. It is found in temperate climates worldwide. Smaller kinds of turnip are grown for human food. Larger ones are grown to feed livestock.

Turnip
turnip roots
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Brassicales
Family:	Brassicaceae
Genus:	Brassica
Species:	B. rapa
Variety:	B. rapa var. rapa
Trinomial name
Brassica rapa var. rapa L.

Turnips have glucosinolates -- plant-based chemicals that may help prevent all kinds of cancer, from breast to prostate. Eye health. Turnips are rich in the antioxidant lutein. This keeps your eyes healthy and wards off problems like macular degeneration and cataracts.

In the north of England and Scotland, the name turnip, or neeps, are given to the larger turnips such as the yellow rutabagas. They are called swedes father south.

Other websites

• Multilingual taxonomic information from the University of Melbourne
• Alternative Field Crop Manual: Turnip
• Nutritional Facts