Brassicaceae, a medium sized and economically important family

Family (biology)

In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...

 of flowering plants (Angiosperms), are informally known as the mustards, mustard flowers, the crucifers or the cabbage family.

The name Brassicaceae is derived from the included genus

Genus

In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...

 Brassica

Brassica

Brassica is a genus of plants in the mustard family . The members of the genus may be collectively known either as cabbages, or as mustards...

. Cruciferae, an older name, meaning "cross-bearing", describes the four petal

Petal

Petals are modified leaves that surround the reproductive parts of flowers. They often are brightly colored or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. Together, all of the petals of a flower are called a corolla. Petals are usually accompanied by another set of special leaves called sepals lying...

s of mustard flowers, which are reminiscent of a cross

Cross

A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two lines or bars perpendicular to each other, dividing one or two of the lines in half. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally; if they run obliquely, the design is technically termed a saltire, although the arms of a saltire need not meet...

. It is one of eight plant family names that has an accepted alternative name that does not bear the suffix -aceae. According to ICBN Art. 18.5 (Vienna Code) both Cruciferae and Brassicaceae are regarded as validly published.

The family contains over 330 genera

Genus

In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...

 and about 3,700 species

Species

In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...

, according to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, usually referred to as Kew Gardens, is 121 hectares of gardens and botanical glasshouses between Richmond and Kew in southwest London, England. "The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew" and the brand name "Kew" are also used as umbrella terms for the institution that runs...

. The largest genera are Draba

Draba

Draba is a large genus of cruciferous plants, commonly known as whitlow-grasses. There are over 400 species:*Draba abajoensis Windham & Al-Shehbaz*Draba × abiskoensis O.E.Schulz*Draba × abiskojokkensis O.E.Schulz...

(365 species), Cardamine

Cardamine

Cardamine , is a large genus in the family Brassicaceae. It contains more than 150 species of annuals and perennials. The genus grows worldwide in diverse habitats, except in the Antarctic. Genus Dentaria is a synonym for Cardamine.The leaves can have different forms, going from minute to...

(200 species, but its definition is controversial), Erysimum (225 species), Lepidium

Lepidium

Lepidium is a genus of plants in the mustard family Brassicaceae. It includes about 175 species found worldwide, including cress and pepperweed; additional common names include peppercress, peppergrass, and pepperwort...

(230 species) and Alyssum

Alyssum

Alyssum is a genus of about 100–170 species of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae, native to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa, with the highest species diversity in the Mediterranean region...

(195 species.)

The family contains well-known species such as Brassica oleracea

Brassica oleracea

Brassica oleracea, or wild cabbage, is a species of Brassica native to coastal southern and western Europe, where its tolerance of salt and lime and its intolerance of competition from other plants typically restrict its natural occurrence to limestone sea cliffs, like the chalk cliffs on both...

(broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, etc.), Brassica rapa

Brassica rapa

Brassica rapa L. , commonly known as turnip, turnip rape, field mustard or turnip mustard is a plant widely cultivated as a leaf vegetable , a root vegetable , and an oilseed .In the 18th century the turnip and...

(turnip, Chinese cabbage, etc.), Brassica napus (rapeseed, etc.), Raphanus sativus (common radish), Armoracia rusticana (horseradish), Matthiola

Matthiola

Matthiola |R.Br.]]), or stock, is a genus of flowering plants named after Pietro Andrea Mattioli.A cool season annual or perennial. Flowers are singles or doubles in a wide array of colors, very sweet smelling, and often used in bouquets of cut flowers...

(stock), Arabidopsis thaliana

Arabidopsis thaliana

Arabidopsis thaliana is a small flowering plant native to Europe, Asia, and northwestern Africa. A spring annual with a relatively short life cycle, arabidopsis is popular as a model organism in plant biology and genetics...

(model organism

Model organism

A model organism is a non-human species that is extensively studied to understand particular biological phenomena, with the expectation that discoveries made in the organism model will provide insight into the workings of other organisms. Model organisms are in vivo models and are widely used to...

) and many others.

Distribution

The family is cosmopolitan, but is concentrated in the northern temperate

Temperate

In geography, temperate or tepid latitudes of the globe lie between the tropics and the polar circles. The changes in these regions between summer and winter are generally relatively moderate, rather than extreme hot or cold...

 regions and reaches maximal diversity around the Mediterranean area.

Taxonomy

The family is included in Brassicales

Order (biology)

In scientific classification used in biology, the order is# a taxonomic rank used in the classification of organisms. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, family, genus, and species, with order fitting in between class and family...

 according to the APG system

APG system

The APG system of plant classification is the first, now obsolete, version of a modern, mostly molecular-based, system of plant taxonomy that was published in 1998 by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group. It was superseded in 2003 by a revision, the APG II system, and then in 2009 by a further...

. Older systems (e.g. Arthur Cronquist's

Cronquist system

The Cronquist system is a taxonomic classification system of flowering plants. It was developed by Arthur Cronquist in his texts An Integrated System of Classification of Flowering Plants and The Evolution and Classification of Flowering Plants .Cronquist's system places flowering plants into two...

) placed them into the Capparales

Capparales

Capparales is a botanical name of an order of flowering plants. It was used in the Cronquist system for an order in subclass Dilleniidae and in the Kubitzki system, nowadays...

, a now defunct order which had a similar definition.

A close relationship has long been acknowledged between Brassicaceae and the caper

Caper

Capparis spinosa, the caper bush, is a perennial winter-deciduous species that bears rounded, fleshy leaves and large white to pinkish-white flowers. A caper is also the pickled bud of this plant...

 family, Capparaceae

Capparaceae

Capparaceae , commonly known as the Caper family, is a family of plants in order Brassicales. As currently circumscribed, it contains 33 genera and about 700 species...

, in part because members of both groups produce glucosinolate

Glucosinolate

The glucosinolates are a class of organic compounds that contain sulfur and nitrogen and are derived from glucose and an amino acid. They occur as secondary metabolites of almost all plants of the order Brassicales , but also in the genus Drypetes .-Chemistry:Glucosinolates are water-soluble...

 (mustard oil) compounds. Recent research (Hall et al. 2002) suggests that Capparaceae as traditionally circumscribed are paraphyletic with respect to Brassicaceae, with Cleome

Cleome

Cleome is a genus of flowering plants in the family Cleomaceae. Previously it had been placed in family Capparaceae, until DNA studies found the Cleomaceae genera to be more closely related to Brassicaceae than Capparaceae...

and several related genera being more closely related to Brassicaceae than to other Capparaceae. The APG II system therefore has merged the two families under the name 'Brassicaceae'. Other classifications have continued to recognize Capparaceae but with a more restricted circumscription, either including Cleome and its relatives in Brassicaceae or recognizing them in the segregate family Cleomaceae

Cleomaceae

Cleomaceae is a small family of flowering plants in the order Brassicales, comprising about 300 species in 10 genera. These genera were previously included in the family Capparaceae, but were raised to a distinct family when DNA evidence showed that the genera included in it are more closely...

. The angiosperm phylogeny website, has recently adopted this last solution, but this may change as a consensus arises on this point. This article deals with Brassicaceae sensu stricto, i.e. treating Cleomaceae and Capparaceae as segregate families.

Description

The family consists mostly of herbaceous

Herbaceous

A herbaceous plant is a plant that has leaves and stems that die down at the end of the growing season to the soil level. They have no persistent woody stem above ground...

 plants with annual, biennial or perennial lifespans. However, around the Mediterranean they include also a dozen woody shrubs 1m - 3m tall, e.g. in northern Africa (Zilla spinosa and Ptilotrichum spinosum), in the Dalmatian islands (Dendralyssum and Cramboxylon), and chiefly in Canarias with some woody cruciferous genera: Dendrosinapis, Descurainia, Parolinia, Stanleya, etc..

The leaves

Leaf

A leaf is an organ of a vascular plant, as defined in botanical terms, and in particular in plant morphology. Foliage is a mass noun that refers to leaves as a feature of plants....

are alternate

Phyllotaxis

In botany, phyllotaxis or phyllotaxy is the arrangement of leaves on a plant stem .- Pattern structure :...

 (rarely opposite

Phyllotaxis

In botany, phyllotaxis or phyllotaxy is the arrangement of leaves on a plant stem .- Pattern structure :...

), sometimes organized in basal rosette

Rosette (botany)

In botany, a rosette is a circular arrangement of leaves, with all the leaves at a single height.Though rosettes usually sit near the soil, their structure is an example of a modified stem.-Function:...

s; in rare shrubby crucifers of Mediterranean their leaves are mostly in terminal rosettes, and may be coriaceous and evergreen. They are very often pinnately incised and do not have stipule

Stipule

In botany, stipule is a term coined by Linnaeus which refers to outgrowths borne on either side of the base of a leafstalk...

s.

The structure of the flower

Flower

A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants . The biological function of a flower is to effect reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs...

s is extremely uniform throughout the family. They have four free saccate sepal

Sepal

A sepal is a part of the flower of angiosperms . Collectively the sepals form the calyx, which is the outermost whorl of parts that form a flower. Usually green, sepals have the typical function of protecting the petals when the flower is in bud...

s and four clawed free petals, staggered. They can be disymmetric or slightly zygomorphic, with a typical cross-like arrangement (hence the name 'Cruciferae'). They have six stamen

Stamen

The stamen is the pollen producing reproductive organ of a flower...

s, four of which are longer (as long as the petals, so relatively short in fact) and are arranged in a cross like the petals and the other two are shorter (tetradynamous flower). The pistil is made up of two fused carpels and the style is very short, with two lobes. Superior ovary. The flowers form ebracteate racemose inflorescences, often apically corymb-like.

Pollination

Pollination

Pollination is the process by which pollen is transferred in plants, thereby enabling fertilisation and sexual reproduction. Pollen grains transport the male gametes to where the female gamete are contained within the carpel; in gymnosperms the pollen is directly applied to the ovule itself...

 occurs by entomogamy, nectar is produced at the base of the stamens and stored on the sepals.

The fruit

Fruit

In broad terms, a fruit is a structure of a plant that contains its seeds.The term has different meanings dependent on context. In non-technical usage, such as food preparation, fruit normally means the fleshy seed-associated structures of certain plants that are sweet and edible in the raw state,...

is a peculiar kind of capsule

Capsule (fruit)

In botany a capsule is a type of simple, dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. A capsule is a structure composed of two or more carpels that in most cases is dehiscent, i.e. at maturity, it splits apart to release the seeds within. A few capsules are indehiscent, for example...

 named siliqua (plural siliquae, American English silique/siliques). It opens by two valves, which are the modified carpels, leaving the seed

Seed

A seed is a small embryonic plant enclosed in a covering called the seed coat, usually with some stored food. It is the product of the ripened ovule of gymnosperm and angiosperm plants which occurs after fertilization and some growth within the mother plant...

s attached to a framework made up of the placenta and tissue from the junction between the valves (replum). There is often an indehiscent beak at the top of the style and one or more seeds

SEEDS

SEEDS is a voluntary organisation registered under the Societies Act of India....

 may be borne there. Where a siliqua is less than three times as long as it is broad, it is usually termed a silicula. The siliqua may break apart at constrictions occurring between the segments of the seeds, thus forming a sort of loment

Loment

A loment is a type of modified legume that breaks apart at constrictions occurring between the segments of the seeds. Being a legume, it is dry at maturity and is dehiscent, meaning that it will split open at maturity....

 (e.g. Raphanus

Raphanus

Raphanus is a genus within the flowering plant family Brassicaceae. Two or three species are currently classified in Raphanus. They include the cultivated radish, Raphanus sativus and the common wild radish or jointed charlock, R. raphanistrum. Some authors accept the podding or rattail radish, R...

), it may eject the seeds explosively (e.g. Cardamine

Cardamine

Cardamine , is a large genus in the family Brassicaceae. It contains more than 150 species of annuals and perennials. The genus grows worldwide in diverse habitats, except in the Antarctic. Genus Dentaria is a synonym for Cardamine.The leaves can have different forms, going from minute to...

) or may be evolved in a sort of samara

Samara (fruit)

A samara is a type of fruit in which a flattened wing of fibrous, papery tissue develops from the ovary wall. A samara is a simple dry fruit and indehiscent . It is a winged achene...

 (e.g. Isatis

Isatis

Isatis is a genus of about 30 species of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae, native to the Mediterranean region east to central Asia. The genus includes woad ....

). Unsurprisingly the fruit is often the most important diagnostic character for plants in this family.

Brassicaceae do not form mycorrhizae, although rare exceptions do exist.

Most members share a suite of glucosinolate compounds that has a typical pungent odour usually associated with cole crops.

Uses

The importance of this family for food crops has led to its selective breeding throughout history. Some examples of cruciferous food plants are the cabbage

Cabbage

Cabbage is a popular cultivar of the species Brassica oleracea Linne of the Family Brassicaceae and is a leafy green vegetable...

, broccoli

Broccoli

Broccoli is a plant in the cabbage family, whose large flower head is used as a vegetable.-General:The word broccoli, from the Italian plural of , refers to "the flowering top of a cabbage"....

, cauliflower

Cauliflower

Cauliflower is one of several vegetables in the species Brassica oleracea, in the family Brassicaceae. It is an annual plant that reproduces by seed...

, turnip

Turnip

The turnip or white turnip is a root vegetable commonly grown in temperate climates worldwide for its white, bulbous taproot. Small, tender varieties are grown for human consumption, while larger varieties are grown as feed for livestock...

, rapeseed

Rapeseed

Rapeseed , also known as rape, oilseed rape, rapa, rappi, rapaseed is a bright yellow flowering member of the family Brassicaceae...

, mustard

Mustard plant

Mustards are several plant species in the genera Brassica and Sinapis whose small mustard seeds are used as a spice and, by grinding and mixing them with water, vinegar or other liquids, are turned into the condiment known as mustard or prepared mustard...

, radish

Radish

The radish is an edible root vegetable of the Brassicaceae family that was domesticated in Europe, in pre-Roman times. They are grown and consumed throughout the world. Radishes have numerous varieties, varying in size, color and duration of required cultivation time...

, horseradish

Horseradish

Horseradish is a perennial plant of the Brassicaceae family, which also includes mustard, wasabi, broccoli, and cabbages. The plant is probably native to south eastern Europe and the Arab World , but is popular around the world today...

, cress

Garden cress

Garden cress is a fast-growing, edible herb that is botanically related to watercress and mustard, sharing their peppery, tangy flavor and aroma...

, wasabi

Wasabi

, also known as Japanese horseradish, is a member of the Brassicaceae family, which includes cabbages, horseradish, and mustard. Its root is used as a condiment and has an extremely strong flavor. Its hotness is more akin to that of a hot mustard rather than the capsaicin in a chili pepper,...

 and watercress

Watercress

Watercresses are fast-growing, aquatic or semi-aquatic, perennial plants native from Europe to central Asia, and one of the oldest known leaf vegetables consumed by human beings...

.
Matthiola

Matthiola

Matthiola |R.Br.]]), or stock, is a genus of flowering plants named after Pietro Andrea Mattioli.A cool season annual or perennial. Flowers are singles or doubles in a wide array of colors, very sweet smelling, and often used in bouquets of cut flowers...

(stock), Cheiranthus

Cheiranthus

Cheiranthus , also known as wall-flower, is a large genus from the family Brassicaceae. They are perennial plants grown for their colourful flowers....

, Alyssum

Alyssum

Alyssum is a genus of about 100–170 species of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae, native to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa, with the highest species diversity in the Mediterranean region...

and Iberis

Iberis

Iberis is a genus of flowering plant belonging to the family Brassicaceae. It comprises herbs and subshrubs of the Old World. These species are commonly known as candytufts...

(candytufts) are appreciated for their flowers. Lunaria

Lunaria

Lunaria is a genus of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae, native to central and southern Europe. It includes two species, Perennial honesty and Annual honesty. They are widely grown as ornamental plants in gardens, and have become naturalised in many temperate areas away from their native...

(honesty) is cultivated for the decorative value of the translucent repulum of the round silicula that remains on the dried stems after dehiscence.

Capsella bursa-pastoris, Lepidium

Lepidium

Lepidium is a genus of plants in the mustard family Brassicaceae. It includes about 175 species found worldwide, including cress and pepperweed; additional common names include peppercress, peppergrass, and pepperwort...

and many Cardamine

Cardamine

Cardamine , is a large genus in the family Brassicaceae. It contains more than 150 species of annuals and perennials. The genus grows worldwide in diverse habitats, except in the Antarctic. Genus Dentaria is a synonym for Cardamine.The leaves can have different forms, going from minute to...

are common weeds.

Isatis tinctoria (woad) was used in the past to produce the colour indigo

Indigo

Indigo is a color named after the purple dye derived from the plant Indigofera tinctoria and related species. The color is placed on the electromagnetic spectrum between about 420 and 450 nm in wavelength, placing it between blue and violet...

.

Arabidopsis thaliana

Arabidopsis thaliana

Arabidopsis thaliana is a small flowering plant native to Europe, Asia, and northwestern Africa. A spring annual with a relatively short life cycle, arabidopsis is popular as a model organism in plant biology and genetics...

is a very important model organism

Model organism

A model organism is a non-human species that is extensively studied to understand particular biological phenomena, with the expectation that discoveries made in the organism model will provide insight into the workings of other organisms. Model organisms are in vivo models and are widely used to...

 in the study of the flowering plants (Angiospermae).

Genera

• Acanthocardamum
  Acanthocardamum
  Acanthocardamum is a monotypic genus in the family Brassicaceae, native to southern Iran. The sole species is Acanthocardamum erinaceum.-References:...
  
  
• Aethionema
  Aethionema
  Aethionema is a genus of flowering plants, within the family Brassicaceae, subfamily Brassicoideae. The genus is collectively known as the stonecresses.Aethionema species are grown as herbaceous perennials by gardeners.Species include:...
  
  
• Agallis
  Agallis
  Agallis of Corcyra was a female grammarian who wrote about Homer, according to Athenaeus. Some scholars believe her to have belonged to the hetaerae class. She attributed the invention of ball games to Nausicaa, one of her countrywomen, and most later writers took her bias in this matter as...
  
  
• Alliaria
  Alliaria
  Alliaria is a genus of flowering plants in the mustard family.Species include:*Alliaria petiolata...
  
  
• Alyssoides
• Alysopsis
• Alyssum
  Alyssum
  Alyssum is a genus of about 100–170 species of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae, native to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa, with the highest species diversity in the Mediterranean region...
  
  
• Ammosperma
• Anastatica
• Anchonium
• Andrzeiowskia
• Anelsonia
  Anelsonia
  Anelsonia is a monotypic genus in the mustard family containing the single species Anelsonia eurycarpa, which is known by the common name daggerpod. It is similar to another plant known as daggerpod, Phoenicaulis cheiranthoides, but at present they are treated in separate genera...
  
  
• Aphragmus
• Aplanodes
• Arabidella
• Arabidopsis
  Arabidopsis
  Arabidopsis is a genus in the family Brassicaceae. They are small flowering plants related to cabbage and mustard. This genus is of great interest since it contains thale cress , one of the model organisms used for studying plant biology and the first plant to have its entire genome sequenced...
  
  
• Arabis
  Arabis
  Arabis , or rockcress, is a genus of flowering plants, within the family Brassicaceae, subfamily Brassicoideae.Though traditionally recognized as a large genus with many Old World and New World members, more recent evaluations of the relationships among these species using genetic data suggest that...
  
  
• Arcyosperma
• Armoracia
  Horseradish
  Horseradish is a perennial plant of the Brassicaceae family, which also includes mustard, wasabi, broccoli, and cabbages. The plant is probably native to south eastern Europe and the Arab World , but is popular around the world today...
  
  
• Aschersoniodoxa
• Asperuginoides
• Asta
• Atelanthera
• Athysanus
• Aubrieta
  Aubrieta
  Aubrieta is a genus of about 12 species of flowering plants in the cabbage family Brassicaceae. The genus is named after Claude Aubriet, a French flower-painter. It originates from southern Europe east to central Asia but is now a common garden escape throughout Europe...
  
  
• Aurinia
  Aurinia
  Aurinia is a genus of flowering plant of the family Brassicaceae.-Species:There are three species in the genus.*Aurinia corymbosa*Aurinia petraea*Aurinia saxatilis...
  
  
• Ballantinia
• Barbarea
  Barbarea
  Barbarea is a genus of about 22 species of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae, native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with the highest species diversity in southern Europe and southwest Asia.They are small herbaceous biennial or perennial plants with dark green, deeply...
  
  
• Beringia
• Berteroa
• Berteroella
• Biscutella
  Biscutella
  Biscutella is a genus of about 46 species of flowering plants of Brassicaceae or Cruciferae family, according to Appel, O. & Al-Shehbaz, I. 2003 .It contains the following species:* Biscutella laevigata...
  
  
• Bivonaea
• Blennodia
• Boleum
• Boreava
• Bornmuellera
• Borodinia
• Botscantzevia
• Brachycarpaea
• Brassica
  Brassica
  Brassica is a genus of plants in the mustard family . The members of the genus may be collectively known either as cabbages, or as mustards...
  
  
• Braya
• Brayopsis
• Brossardia
• Bunias
  Bunias
  Bunias is a genus in the Brassicaceae family. The genus includes only two accepted species, Bunias erucago and Bunias orientalis ....
  
  
• Cakile
  Cakile
  Cakile is a genus within the flowering plant family Brassicaceae. Species in this genus are commonly known as searockets, though this name on its own is applied particularly to whatever member of the species is native or most common in the region concerned, the European searocket Cakile maritima...
  
  
• Calepina
• Calymmatium
• Camelina
  Camelina
  Camelina is a genus within the flowering plant family Brassicaceae. One species, Camelina sativa, is a historic and potentially important oil plant. It is native to Mediterranean regions of the world like, Europe and Asia.Turkamanistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and Spain...
  
  
• Camelinopsis
• Capsella
• Cardamine
  Cardamine
  Cardamine , is a large genus in the family Brassicaceae. It contains more than 150 species of annuals and perennials. The genus grows worldwide in diverse habitats, except in the Antarctic. Genus Dentaria is a synonym for Cardamine.The leaves can have different forms, going from minute to...
  
  
• Cardaminopsis
• Cardaria
• Carinavalva
• Carrichtera
• Catadysia
• Catenulina
• Caulanthus
  Caulanthus
  Caulanthus is a genus of plants in the mustard family. Plants of this genus may be known as jewelflowers. They are also often referred to as wild cabbage, although this common name usually refers to wild variants of Brassica oleraceae, the cabbage plant...
  
  
• Caulostramina
  Caulostramina
  Caulostramina is a monotypic plant genus in the mustard family containing the single species Caulostramina jaegeri, which is known by the common name cliffdweller....
  
  
• Ceratocnemum
• Ceriosperma
• Chalcanthus
• Chamira
• Chartoloma
• Cheesemania
• Cheiranthus
  Cheiranthus
  Cheiranthus , also known as wall-flower, is a large genus from the family Brassicaceae. They are perennial plants grown for their colourful flowers....
  
  
• Chlorocrambe
• Chorispora
• Christolea
• Chrysobraya
• Chrysochamela
• Cithareloma
• Clastopus
• Clausia
• Clypeola
  Clypeola (plant)
  Clypeola is a plant genus in the family Brassicaceae.-Species:* C. alyssoides* C. aspera* C. campestris* C. cyclodontea* C. dichotoma* C. echinata* C. elegans* C. eriocarpa* C. jonthlaspi* C. lappacea...
  
  
• Cochlearia
• Coelonema
• Coincya
  Coincya
  Coincya is a genus of flowering plant that belongs to the family Brassicaceae. Three species of the plant are endemic to the British Isles., these being Coincya wrightii , Coincya cheiranthus and Coincya monensis, which has two subspecies, C. monensis subsp. monensis and C. monensis subsp...
  
  
• Coluteocarpus
• Conringia
  Conringia
  Conringia is a genus of plants in the mustard family known commonly as hare's ear mustards. These herbs are native to Eurasia, although one species Conringia orientalis, is known on many continents as a common weed...
  
  
• Cordylocarpus
• Coronopus
  Coronopus
  Coronopus is a genus of plants in the mustard family known commonly as swinecress or wartcress. These are generally low spreading plants with many long stems and deeply lobed leaves and small white or purple flowers. They often have an offensive scent...
  
  
• Crambe
  Crambe
  Crambe is a genus of Brassicaceae native to Europe, southwest and central Asia and eastern Africa. It includes among its species seakale , grown as a leaf vegetable, Crambe cordifolia which is grown as an herbaceous border perennial, and Crambe abyssinica, which is grown for an oil from the seeds...
  
  
• Crambella
• Cremolobus
• Crucihimalaya
• Cryptospora
• Cuphonotus
• Cusickiella
  Cusickiella
  Cusickiella is a small genus containing two species of plants in the mustard family. These are mat-forming perennials with stumpy branches covered in rounded clusters of tiny thick leaves. Each cluster somewhat resembles a very tiny cabbage. Each small branch blooms in a white or yellowish flower...
  
  
• Cycloptychis
• Cymatocarpus
• Cyphocardamum
• Dactylocardamum
• Degenia
  Degenia
  Degenia is a monotypic plant genus in the mustard family containing the single species Degenia velebitica . The yellow-flowered plant is endemic to Velebit and Kapela mountain ranges, and has become a symbol of the region.Discovered by Dr...
  
  
• Delpinophytum
• Descurainia
  Descurainia
  Descurainia is a genus of plants in the mustard family which are known commonly as the tansymustards. They are similar in appearance to other mustards, sending up long erect stems and bearing small yellow or whitish flowers. Many species are noxious weeds. Some species are toxic to livestock and...
  
  
• Diceratella
• Dichasianthus
• Dictyophragmus
• Didesmus
• Didymophysa
• Dielsiocharis
• Dilophia
• Dimorphocarpa
• Diplotaxis
• Dipoma
• Diptychocarpus
• Dithyrea
  Dithyrea
  Dithyrea is a small genus of flowering plants in the mustard family containing only one or two species. The California shieldpod or spectacle-pod, Dithyrea californica, is an abundant and unique-looking herb native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico...
  
  
• Dolichirhynchus
• Dontostemon
• Douepea
• Draba
  Draba
  Draba is a large genus of cruciferous plants, commonly known as whitlow-grasses. There are over 400 species:*Draba abajoensis Windham & Al-Shehbaz*Draba × abiskoensis O.E.Schulz*Draba × abiskojokkensis O.E.Schulz...
  
  
• Drabastrum
  Drabastrum
  Drabastrum is a monotypic genus of herbs or subshrubs in the family Brassicaceae . The sole species is Drabastrum alpestre which is native to New South Wales and Victoria in Australia....
  
  
• Drabopsis
• Dryopetalon
• Eigia
• Elburzia
• Enarthrocarpus
• Englerocharis
• Eremobium
• Eremoblastus
• Eremodraba
• Eremophyton
• Ermania
• Ermaniopsis
• Erophila
• Eruca
  Eruca
  Eruca is a genus of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae, native to the Mediterranean region.The number of species is disputed, with some authorities only accepting a single species, while others accept up to five species. The following species are accepted by the Med-Checklist:*Eruca...
  
  
• Erucaria
• Erucastrum
  Erucastrum
  Erucastrum is a genus of flowering plant in the mustard family. There are approximately 18 species. Erucastrum species are known generally as dogmustards.Species include:* Erucastrum gallicum* Erucastrum rostratum...
  
  
• Erysimum
• Euclidium
  Euclidium
  Euclidium is a small genus of mustards containing two species, Euclidium syriacum and Euclidium tenuissimum. These are white-flowered annual herbs native to Eurasia.-External links:*...
  
  
• Eudema
  Eudema
  Eudema is a genus of flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae from South America. It contains six species, including Eudema nubigena....
  
  
• Eutrema
• Euzomodendron
• Farsetia
  Farsetia
  Farsetia is a genus of flowering plant in the Brassicaceae family.It contains the following species:*Farsetia aegyptia Turra*Farsetia cornus-africani Jonsell*Farsetia divaricata Jonsell*Farsetia ellenbeckii Engl....
  
  
• Fezia
• Fibigia
  Fibigia
  Fibigia is a flowering plant of the genus Fibigia in the family Brassicaceae.*Fibigia clypeata Medik.*Fibigia eriocarpa Boiss.*Fibigia lunarioides Sibth. & Sm.*Fibigia macrocarpa Boiss....
  
  
• Foleyola
• Fortuynia
• Galitzkya
  Galitzkya
  Galitzkya is a genus of 3 species of flowering plants of Brassicaceae or Cruciferae family, according to Appel, O. & Al-Shehbaz, I. 2003 .Named after Nikolai Petrovic Ikonnikov-Galitzky , russian botanist.It contains the following species:...
  
  
• Geococcus
• Glaribraya
• Glastaria
• Glaucocarpum
  Glaucocarpum
  Glaucocarpum is a monotypic plant genus containing the single species Glaucocarpum suffrutescens , a rare species of flowering plant in the mustard family known by the common names Uinta Basin waxfruit, toad-flax cress, and shrubby reed-mustard...
  
  
• Goldbachia
• Gorodkovia
• Graellsia
• Grammosperma
• Guillenia
  Guillenia
  Guillenia is a small genus of mustard plants containing three species. These are sometimes treated as members of the jewelflower genus Caulanthus. They are native to western North America.Species:*Guillenia flavescens - yellow mustard...
  
  
• Guiraoa
• Gynophorea
• Halimolobos
  Halimolobos
  Halimolobos is a genus of flowering plants in the mustard family known generally as fissureworts. These are biennial and perennial herbs which are mostly native to North America, especially Mexico.Species include:...
  
  
• Harmsiodoxa
• Hedinia
• Heldreichia
• Heliophila
  Heliophila
  Club-pointed Heliophila is the only member of the genus Heliophila within the flowering plant in the Brassicaceae family. In addition, some species of this genus are used like ornamental plants....
  
  
• Hemicrambe
  Hemicrambe
  Hemicrambe is a genus of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae, comprising two species:* Hemicrambe townsendii Gómez-Campo – Socotra* Hemicrambe fruticulosa Webb – Morocco...
  
  
• Hemilophia
• Hesperis
  Hesperis
  Hesperis is a genus of flowering plants in the mustard family. Most are native to Eurasia, with several endemic to Turkey. Many plants of this genus bear showy, fragrant flowers in shades of purple and white. One of the more widely known species is the common garden flower Dame's Rocket Hesperis is...
  
  
• Heterodraba
  Heterodraba
  Heterodraba is a monotypic genus of plants in the mustard family containing the single species Heterodraba unilateralis, which is known by the common name ladiestongue mustard. It is native to western North America, where it can be found in Oregon, central California, and northern Mexico, generally...
  
  
• Hirschfeldia
• Hollermayera
• Hormathophylla
• Hornungia
  Hornungia
  Hornungia is a small genus of plants in the mustard family. It currently contains three species that have previously been classified as members of other genera, including Hutchinsia and Pritzelago. The genera, and sometimes several others, are usually treated as synonyms.Species:*Hornungia alpina...
  
  
• Hornwoodia
• Hugueninia
  Hugueninia
  Hugueninia is a genus of fungi in the Microthyriaceae family; according to the 2007 Outline of Ascomycota, the placement in this family is uncertain. This is a monotypic genus, containing the single species Hugueninia freycinetiae....
  
  
• Hymenolobus
• Ianhedgea
• Iberis
  Iberis
  Iberis is a genus of flowering plant belonging to the family Brassicaceae. It comprises herbs and subshrubs of the Old World. These species are commonly known as candytufts...
  
  
• Idahoa
  Idahoa
  Idahoa is a monotypic genus of plants in the mustard family containing the single species Idahoa scapigera, which is known by the common names scalepod and oldstem idahoa. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to California to Montana where it grows generally in mountains and...
  
  
• Iodanthus
• Ionopsidium
  Ionopsidium
  Ionopsidium is a genus of the botanical family Brassicaceae, endemic to the western Mediterranean region....
  
  
• Irenepharsus
• Isatis
  Isatis
  Isatis is a genus of about 30 species of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae, native to the Mediterranean region east to central Asia. The genus includes woad ....
  
  
• Ischnocarpus
• Iskandera
• Iti
  ITI
  Different meanings of ITI include:* Indian Telephone Industries Limited* The Institute of Translation & Interpreting, which is a professional association representing translators and interpreters in the United Kingdom....
  
  
• Ivania
• Kernera
• Kremeriella
• Lachnocapsa
  Lachnocapsa
  Lachnocapsa spathulata is a species of flowering plant in the Brassicaceae family, and the only species in the genus Lachnocaspa. It is found only on Socotra, Yemen. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland and rocky areas....
  
  
• Lachnoloma
• Leavenworthia
• Lepidium
  Lepidium
  Lepidium is a genus of plants in the mustard family Brassicaceae. It includes about 175 species found worldwide, including cress and pepperweed; additional common names include peppercress, peppergrass, and pepperwort...
  
  
• Lepidostemon
• Leptaleum
• Lesquerella
  Lesquerella
  Lesquerella is a genus of flowering plants in the familyBrassicaceae. Some are referred to by the common name Bladderpod and bladderpod oil is extracted from the seeds of Lesquerella fendleri and certain other species in the genus....
  
  
• Lignariella
• Lithodraba
• Lobularia
  Lobularia
  Lobularia is a genus of four or five species of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae, closely related to the genus Alyssum....
  
  
• Lonchophora
• Loxostemon
• Lunaria
  Lunaria
  Lunaria is a genus of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae, native to central and southern Europe. It includes two species, Perennial honesty and Annual honesty. They are widely grown as ornamental plants in gardens, and have become naturalised in many temperate areas away from their native...
  
  
• Lyocarpus
• Lyrocarpa
• Macropodium
• Malcolmia
  Malcolmia
  Malcolmia is a genus of flowering plants from the family Brassicaceae. Species from this genus are native to Europe and Africa.Several species are cultivated for their flowers, including Virginian stock .Species include:...
  
  
• Mancoa
• Maresia
  Maresia
  Maresia is a genus of moths of the Noctuidae family.-References:*...
  
  
• Mathewsia
• Matthiola
  Matthiola
  Matthiola |R.Br.]]), or stock, is a genus of flowering plants named after Pietro Andrea Mattioli.A cool season annual or perennial. Flowers are singles or doubles in a wide array of colors, very sweet smelling, and often used in bouquets of cut flowers...
  
  
• Megacarpaea
• Megadenia
• Menkea
• Menonvillea
• Microlepidium
• Microsysymbrium
• Microstigma
• Morettia
• Moricandia
  Moricandia
  Moricandia is a genus of plants belonging to the family Brassicaceae. Moricandia ramburii commonly known as violet cabbage, a native of the Mediterranean, is cultivated as a garden flower.-Species:* Moricandia arvensis DC....
  
  
• Moriera
• Morisia
• Murbeckiella
• Muricaria
• Myagrum
• Nasturtiopsis
• Nasturtium
• Neomartinella
• Neotchihatchewia
• Neotorularia
• Nerisyrenia
• Neslia
• Nesocrambe
  Nesocrambe
  Nesocrambe socotrana is a species of flowering plant in the Brassicaceae family. It is the only species in the genus Nesocrambe, and is found only on "an inhospitable and windswept ridge at the western end of...
  
  
• Neuontobotrys
• Notoceras
• Notothlaspi
• Ochthodium
• Octoceras
• Olimarabidopsis
• Onuris
• Oreoloma
• Oreophyton
• Ornithocarpa
• Orychophragmus
• Otocarpus
• Oudneya
• Pachycladon
• Pachymitus
  Pachymitus
  Pachymitus is a monotypic plant genus in the mustard family Brassicaceae. The sole species is Pachymitus cardaminoides, commonly known as Sand Cress, which is native to Australia...
  
  
• Pachyphragma
• Pachypterygium
• Parlatoria
• Parodiodoxa
• Parolinia
• Parrya
• Parryodes
• Pegaeophyton
• Peltaria
  Peltaria
  Peltaria is a genus of flowering plants, within the family Brassicaceae. Their distribution ranges from Southeast Europe, Near East to Central Asia. They prefer rocky slopes....
  
  
• Peltariopsis
• Pennellia
• Petiniotia
• Petrocallis
• Phaeonychium
• Phlebolobium
• Phlegmatospermum
• Phoenicaulis
• Physaria
  Physaria
  Physaria is a genus of flowering plants in the mustard family. Many species are known generally as twinpods. They are native to the Americas, with many species endemic to western North America. They are densely hairy perennial herbs often growing prostrate or decumbent, along the ground in patches...
  
  
• Physocardamum
• Physoptychis
• Physorrhynchus
• Platycraspedum
• Polyctenium
  Polyctenium
  Polyctenium is a genus of flowering plants in the mustard family. The plants are known by the common name 'combleaf,' owing to the resemblance of its deeply lobed leaves to a comb. There are two species within the genus: one, Polyctenium williamsiae, is quite rare and is specially protected in...
  
  
• Polypsecadium
• Pringlea
• Prionotrichon
• Pritzelago
• Pseuderucaria
• Pseudoarabidopsis
• Pseudocamelina
• Pseudoclausia
• Pseudofortuynia
• Pseudovesicaria
• Psychine
• Pterygiosperma
• Pterygostemon
• Pugionium
• Pycnoplinthopsis
• Pycnoplinthus
• Pyramidium
• Quezeliantha
• Quidproquo
• Raffenaldia
• Raphanorhyncha
• Raphanus
  Raphanus
  Raphanus is a genus within the flowering plant family Brassicaceae. Two or three species are currently classified in Raphanus. They include the cultivated radish, Raphanus sativus and the common wild radish or jointed charlock, R. raphanistrum. Some authors accept the podding or rattail radish, R...
  
  
• Rapistrum
  Rapistrum
  Rapistrum is a genus belonging to the brassicaceae family with a distinctive cross like arrangement of its petals. Species of Rapistrum are annual to perennials . The yellow petals are accompanied by sepals that stand vertically at near right angles...
  
  
• Reboudia
• Redowskia
• Rhizobotrya
• Ricotia
• Robeschia
• Rollinsia
• Romanschulzia
• Roripella
• Rorippa
  Rorippa
  Rorippa is a flowering plant genus in the cabbage family , containing approximately 80 species native to Europe through central Asia, Africa, and North America. Rorippa species are annual to perennial herbs, usually with yellow flowers and a peppery flavour.Rorippa formerly included several species...
  
  
• Rytidocarpus
• Sameraria
• Sarcodraba
• Savignya
• Scambopus
• Schimpera
• Schivereckia
• Schizopetalon
  Schizopetalon
  Schizopetalon is a genus of the botanical family Brassicaceae....
  
  
• Schlechteria
• Schoenocrambe
• Schouwia
• Scoliaxon
• Selenia
• Sibara
  Sibara
  Sibara is a genus of ten plant species in the mustard family known commonly as the winged rockcresses. They are native to North America. Sibara are similar to cardamines, sending up thin herbaceous stems that bear tiny white to purple flowers...
  
  
• Sibaropsis
  Sibaropsis
  Sibaropsis is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the mustard family containing the single species Sibaropsis hammittii, which is known by the common name Hammitt's clay-cress. It is endemic to California, where it is known from two locations in the Peninsular Ranges...
  
  
• Silicularia
• Sinapidendron
• Sinapis
  Sinapis
  Sinapis is a genus of plants in the family Brassicaceae. One of the species in this genus is White mustard . Black mustard is sometimes placed in this genus as well, but is more often placed in the related genus Brassica...
  
  
• Sisymbrella
• Sisymbriopsis
• Sisymbrium
  Sisymbrium
  Sisymbrium is a genus of plants in the cabbage family, Brassicaceae.-Selected species:* Sisymbrium altissimum – Jimm Hill Mustard, Tall Rocket, Tall Tumblemustard* Sisymbrium crassifolium* Sisymbrium irio – London Rocket...
  
  
• Smelowskia
• Sobolewslia
• Sohms-Laubachia
• Sophiopsis
• Sphaerocardamum
• Spirorhynchus
• Spryginia
• Staintoniella
• Stanfordia
• Stanleya (plant)
  Stanleya (plant)
  Stanleya is a genus of six species of plants in the mustard family known commonly as prince's plumes. These are herbs or erect shrubs which bear dense, plumelike inflorescences of white to bright yellow flowers with long stamens. Stanleya species are native to the western United States...
  
  
• Stenopetalum
• Sterigmostemum
• Stevenia
• Straussiella
• Streptanthella
  Streptanthella
  Streptanthella is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the mustard family containing the single species Streptanthella longirostris, which is known by the common name longbeak streptanthella, or simply streptanthella. It is native to western North America, where it occurs throughout the western...
  
  
• Streptanthus
  Streptanthus
  Streptanthus is a genus within the mustard family, Brassicaceae. There are about 35 known species within the Streptanthus genus, distributed mostly throughout western North America. The common names for this genus are Jewelflower and Twistflower...
  
  
• Streptoloma
• Stroganowia
• Stubebdorffia
• Subularia
  Subularia
  Subularia is a genus in the mustard family, Brassicaceae. Subularia species are annual herbs that grow in moist or even flooded soils. Primary representatives of the genus are Subularia aquatica, which is widespread in North America; and Subularia monticola, from Africa.-Description:Stems and...
  
  
• Succowia
• Synstemon
• Synthlipsis
• Taphrospermum
• Tauscheria
  Tauscheria
  Tauscheria is a genus of Moth in the family Lasiocampidae....
  
  
• Teesdalia
• Teesdaliopsis
• Tetracme
  Tetracme
  Tetracme is a genus of moths of the Noctuidae family.-References:*...
  
  
• Thelypodiopsis
• Thelypodium
  Thelypodium
  Thelypodium is a genus of flowering plants in the mustard family. There are 16 to 20 species, all native to western North America.Species include:*Thelypodium brachycarpum - shortpod thelypody*Thelypodium crispum - crisped thelypody...
  
  
• Thlaspeocarpa
• Thlaspi
  Thlaspi
  Thlaspi is a genus of herbs of temperate regions of the Eurasian continent. They occur in Central and South Europe, South-West Asia and 2 species are endemic to China.-Species:*Thlaspi alliaceum - Garlic Penny-cress...
  
  
• Thysanocarpus
  Thysanocarpus
  Thysanocarpus is a small genus of plants in the mustard family known generally as fringepods or lacepods. These are small, erect annual herbs. The flat fruit capsule is generally round or oval-shaped with a wing that goes all the way around the pod, giving it a fringed look. The fruits hang from...
  
  
• Trachystoma
• Trichotolinum
• Trochiscus
• Tropidocarpum
  Tropidocarpum
  Tropidocarpum is a genus of flowering plants in the mustard family. There are two to four species, one of which is extremely rare. Tropidocarpum capparideum, the caper-fruited tropidocarpum, is a plant endemic to California generally considered to be extinct since the 1950s, but has been reported...
  
  
• Turritis
• Vella (plant)
• Warea
• Wasabia
• Weberbauera
• Werdermannia
• Winklera
• Xerodraba
• Yinshania
• Zerdana
  Zerdana
  Zerdana Boiss. is an Iranian endemic and monotypic genus in family Brassicaceae with the single species of Zerdana anchonioides Boiss. A caespitose perennial species growing in mountainous areas on stony and rocky slopes at an altitude of 3000 - 4000m in Irano-Turanian region.The generic name has...
  
  
• Zilla

External links

• Brassicaceae in L. Watson and M.J. Dallwitz (1992 onwards). The families of flowering plants: descriptions, illustrations, identification, information retrieval. http://delta-intkey.com
• Brassicaceae at www.botany.hawaii.edu
• Family Brassicaceae Flowers in Israel