Brassica cretica is a species of flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae, native to the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly to Greece and the Aegean Islands. It was first described by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in 1785. A 2021 study suggested that it was the origin of cultivated Brassica oleracea, with later admixture from other Brassica species.
Subspecies
As of December 2022, Plants of the World Online recognized three subspecies:
- Brassica cretica subsp. aegaea (Heldr. & Halácsy) Snogerup, M.A.Gust. & Bothmer
- Brassica cretica subsp. cretica
- Brassica cretica subsp. laconica M.A.Gust. & Snogerup
Other sources have recognized only two subspecies, subsp. cretica and subsp. nivea (Boiss. & Spruner) M.A.Gust. & Snogerup. Some populations identified as B. cretica appear to be escapes from cultivation.
References
