GALICIAN CABBAGE: CHARACTERISTICS, PROPERTIES, CULTIVATION, CARE - BIOLOGY - 2025

The Galician cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. Viridis) is a biennial herb cultivated as a vegetable for human consumption or feed use which belongs to the Brassicaceae family. Commonly known as collard greens, kale, open cabbage, horse cabbage or forage cabbage, it is a plant native to Asia Minor and the Mediterranean basin.

It is a variety of the genus Brassica characterized by its large green, firm, smooth, edible leaves of high nutritional value. It has a thick, fibrous and long stem, from which the basal leaves are harvested until completing their annual cycle at the end of autumn.

Brassica oleracea var. Viridis: Source: Joanbanjo

In general, during the first year, the terminal leaves compact at the end of the stem and form a compact mass or cabbage. In the second year, if the crop is kept in the field, the flower stalk is formed that emits alogamous inflorescences of yellowish tones.

It is traditionally consumed as a dressing in salads, boiled, stews, cooked vegetables or as a garnish for roasts. On the other hand, it is used as a food supplement for livestock and in traditional medicine for its therapeutic properties.

General characteristics

Appearance

Herbaceous plant of low growth, short, thick and firm stem, although elongated and woody as it ages, crowned by a compact cabbage. The root system of the pivot type branches at different levels of depth along the main root.

Leaves

The large light green basal leaves are edible, not very succulent, oval and with slightly curled margins. The whitish inner leaves that form the head or cabbage are clustered compactly and dense at the end of the stem.

flowers

Flowers develop during the second annual cycle from a long flower stalk if the plant is kept in the ground. The cluster of terminal inflorescences is formed by large flowers of yellowish or whitish tones.

Fruit

The small, dark-colored nuts are shaped like a thin pod with pointed ends.

Brassica oleracea var. Viridis: Source: pixabay.com

Nutritional information (per 100 g)

- Calories: 32 kcal

- Total fat: 0.6 g

- Saturated fatty acids: 0.1 g

- Polyunsaturated fatty acids: 0.2 g

- Sulfur: 2.6 mg

- Calcium: 50-250 mg

- Copper: 22 μg

- Phosphorus: 72 mg

- Fluorine: 15 μg

- Iodine: 2 μg

- Iron: 0.5 mg

- Magnesium: 28-35 mg

- Potassium: 200-400 mg

- Selenium: 2.2 μg

- Sodium: 18 mg

- Zinc: 1.5 mg

- Carbohydrates: 4-5 g

- Dietary fiber: 2-4 g

- Sugars: 0.5 g

- Proteins: 1-3 g

- Vitamin A: 5,019 IU

- Thiamine (vitamin B ₁): 0.06 mg

- Riboflavin (vitamin B ₂): 0.05 mg

- Pyridoxine (vitamin B ₆): 0.2 mg

- Vitamin C: 35-50 mg

- Vitamin E: 2.5 mg

- Ac. Nicotinic: 0.3 (mg)

- Total folic acid: 90 μg

Taxonomy

- Kingdom: Plantae

- Division: Magnoliophyta

- Class: Magnoliopsida

- Order: Brassicales

- Family: Brassicaceae

- Genus: Brassica

- Species: Brassica oleracea

- Trinomial name

- Brassica oleracea var. viridis L., 1753

- Synonymy

- Brassica oleracea var. Accephala DC., 1821

- Varieties

Asturian or yellow kale

Plant with large leaves with curly margins, yellowish-green color and obvious veins that do not form cabbage.

Common kale or green-white smooth cabbage

Long-stemmed plant, smooth and shiny leaves, the outer ones are glaucous and the inner ones whitish, with an intense aroma.

Kale

Plant 60-80 cm high, curly leaves and whitish veins, lacks cabbage habit.

Brassica oleracea var. Viridis: Source: SaletteAndrews

Habitat and distribution

The variety Brassica oleracea var. viridis grows on deep, clay-loam soils with a high content of organic matter, pH 6.5-7.5 and well drained. It adapts to temperate climates with an average temperature during the productive stage of 18-25 ºC.

It is a cultivar native to the southern region of the Iberian Peninsula, north of Portugal and Spain, as well as certain regions of France and the United Kingdom. Its commercial cultivation has been introduced to the southern US, Brazil, the Balkan Peninsula, North Africa, and India.

Properties

Galician cabbage is mainly made up of water, it also has high levels of fiber, minerals and vitamins, particularly vitamin A, C and K. It also contains calcium, copper, iron, magnesium and sulfur elements that give it a particular smell.

Indeed, the content of various bioactive principles gives it antidiarrheal, antithyroid, diuretic, emollient and expectorant properties. Vitamin C has antiscorbutic properties and vitamin A exerts a cytostatic effect, preventing the appearance of cancer tumors.

On the other hand, its consumption alleviates the symptoms caused by stomach ulcers and acts as a hypoglycemic agent, since it regulates blood sugar levels. The juice obtained from the smoothie of the fresh leaves, sweetened with sugar or honey is an effective natural remedy to relieve bronchial ailments.

The fresh leaves crushed and applied as a poultice allow to heal and heal sores and ulcers on the skin. In ancient times it was believed that its habitual consumption favored the production of milk in lactating women. In addition, it was used as a natural remedy for hangovers.

Curly kale. Source: pixabay.com

Culture

The cultivation of Galician cabbage is established during the spring, while in some regions it is obtained wild near the cultivated fields. Sowing is done with certified seeds from plants grown exclusively for commercial seed production.

The plantation is established directly in the ground at a depth of 3 cm, or on germination beds to later transplant to the field. Once the growth of the seedlings begins, a thinning is carried out at 8-10 cm distance between plants.

Transplantation to the final land is carried out 40-45 days after sowing. The sowing density depends on the variety, usually a sowing density of 25-50 cm between plants is used.

The Galician cabbage is a biennial plant that is harvested only the first year. The lower leaves are collected and in this way more leaves are produced until the annual cycle is completed.

Plantation of Brassica oleracea var. Viridis: Source: Michael Barera

Care

Multiplication

Propagation is carried out by seeds during spring and summer, direct sowing can be carried out or germination beds can be used.

Location

The establishment of the plantation requires full sun exposure.

Floor

This species adapts to fertile soils with a high content of organic matter, permeable, deep, humid and slightly alkaline. Some varieties can be grown in large, deep pots with a universal substrate containing 30-40% perlite.

Irrigation

During the summer it requires frequent watering. It is recommended to water every 5-6 days throughout the year, with the exception of summer, which requires watering every 4-5 times a week.

Fertilization

During the entire growth and production phase, it requires the application of organic fertilizers every 25-30 days.

Plagues and diseases

Under adverse conditions, the incidence of aphids, aphids, the cabbage caterpillar or cabbage worm and the false meter, snails and slugs is common. Among the diseases, the presence of the bacterium Xa nthomonas campestris pv is common. campestris causal agent of the disease known as angular spot.

References

1. Berza (2017) Bonduelle Spain. Recovered in: bonduelle.es
2. Cartea González, ME, Velasco Pazos, P., & Ordás Pérez, A. (2006). Cultures of the genus "Brassica" in Galicia. Biological Mission of Galicia (CSIC), Pontevedra.
3. Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. Viridis) (2020) Agroboca. Recovered in: agroboca.com
4. Brassica oleracea var. viridis L. (2019) Catalog of Life: 2019 Annual Checklist. Recovered at: catalogueoflife.org
5. Brassica oleracea var. viridis. (2019). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Recovered at: es.wikipedia.org
6. Fernández León, MF (2013). Evolution of the physical-chemical and functional quality parameters of different brassicas subjected to different post-harvest treatments. (Doctoral dissertation) Department of Engineering of the Agronomic and Forestry Environment. University of Extremadura.
7. Ordás, A & Cartea, ME (2004). Pests and diseases of cabbages and cauliflowers. Rural life, (192), 38-41.
8. Sánchez, M. (2019) Galician cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. Viridis). Gardening On. Recovered in: jardineriaon.com