Editing Cabbage (section)

== Description ==
[[File:Brassica oleracea Helgoland1.jpg|thumb|right|upright|The cabbage [[inflorescence]], which appears in the plant's second year of growth, features white or yellow flowers, each with four perpendicularly arranged petals.]]

Cabbage [[seedling]]s have a thin [[taproot]] and cordate (heart-shaped) [[cotyledon]]s. The first leaves produced are ovate (egg-shaped) with a lobed [[petiole (botany)|petiole]]. Plants are {{convert|40|–|60|cm|abbr=off|frac=2}} tall in their first year at the mature vegetative stage, and {{convert|1.5-2|m|ft|abbr=off|frac=2}} tall when flowering in the second year.<ref name="Dixon p19">[[Cabbage#Dixon|Dixon]], p. 19</ref> Heads average between {{convert|1|and|8|lbs|sigfig=1|abbr=off|order=flip}}, with fast-growing, earlier-maturing varieties producing smaller heads.<ref name="UI">{{cite web |title=Cabbage |url=http://urbanext.illinois.edu/veggies/cabbage.cfm |access-date=2012-08-10 |publisher=University of Illinois Extension}}</ref> Most cabbages have thick, alternating leaves, with margins that range from wavy or lobed to highly dissected; some varieties have a [[epicuticular wax|waxy bloom]] on the leaves. Plants have root systems that are fibrous and shallow.<ref name="Katz279" /> About 90% of the root mass is in the upper {{convert|20|–|30|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} of soil; some [[lateral root]]s can penetrate up to {{convert|2|m|ft|abbr=on|frac=2}} deep.<ref name="Dixon p19" />

The [[inflorescence]] is an unbranched and [[indeterminate growth|indeterminate]] terminal [[raceme]] measuring {{convert|50|–|100|cm|in|-1|abbr=on}} tall,<ref name="Dixon p19" /> with flowers that are yellow or white. Each flower has four [[petal]]s set in a perpendicular pattern, as well as four [[sepal]]s, six [[stamen]]s, and a [[superior ovary]] that is two-celled and contains a single [[stigma (botany)|stigma]] and [[style (botany)|style]]. Two of the six stamens have shorter filaments. The fruit is a [[silique]] that opens at maturity through [[Dehiscence (botany)|dehiscence]] to reveal brown or black seeds that are small and round in shape. [[Self-pollination]] is impossible, and plants are [[cross-pollinated]] by insects.<ref name="Katz279" /> The initial leaves form a rosette shape comprising 7 to 15 leaves, each measuring {{convert|25|–|35|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} by {{convert|20|–|30|cm|in|0|abbr=on}};<ref name="Dixon p19" /> after this, leaves with shorter petioles develop and heads form through the leaves cupping inward.<ref name="WI1" />

Many shapes, colors and leaf textures are found in various cultivated varieties of cabbage. Leaf types are generally divided between crinkled-leaf, loose-head savoys and smooth-leaf firm-head cabbages, while the color spectrum includes white and a range of greens and purples. Oblate, round and pointed shapes are found.<ref name="Katz280">[[Cabbage#Katz|Katz and Weaver]], p. 280</ref>

Cabbage has been [[selective breeding|selectively bred]] for head weight and [[morphology (biology)|morphological]] characteristics, frost hardiness, fast growth and storage ability. The appearance of the cabbage head has been given importance in selective breeding, with varieties being chosen for shape, color, firmness and other physical characteristics.<ref>[[Cabbage#Ordas|Ordas and Cartea]], p. 128</ref> [[Plant breeding|Breeding]] objectives are now focused on increasing resistance to various insects and diseases and improving the nutritional content of cabbage.<ref>[[Cabbage#Ordas|Ordas and Cartea]], p. 135</ref> Scientific research into the [[Genetically modified food|genetic modification]] of ''B.&nbsp;oleracea'' crops, including cabbage, has included European Union and United States explorations of greater insect and [[pesticide resistance|herbicide]] resistance.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cabbage |url=http://www.gmo-compass.org/eng/database/plants/46.cabbage.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018021027/http://www.gmo-compass.org/eng/database/plants/46.cabbage.html |archive-date=2013-10-18 |access-date=2013-10-19 |work=GMO Food Database |publisher=GMO Compass}}</ref>

There are several ''[[Guinness Book of World Records]]'' entries related to cabbage. These include the heaviest cabbage, at {{convert|62.71|kg|lboz|abbr=on|frac=2}},<ref>{{cite web |date=31 August 2012 |title=Heaviest cabbage |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/1000/heaviest-cabbage |access-date=2021-04-06 |publisher=Guinness World Records}}</ref> heaviest red cabbage, at {{convert|31.6|kg|lboz}},<ref>{{cite web |date=26 September 2020 |title=Heaviest red cabbage |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/11000/heaviest-red-cabbage |access-date=2021-04-06 |publisher=Guinness World Records}}</ref> longest [[cabbage roll]], at {{convert|19.54|m|ft|abbr=on|frac=2}},<ref>{{cite web |date=26 September 2015 |title=Longest cabbage roll |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/5000/longest-cabbage-roll |access-date=2021-04-06 |publisher=Guinness World Records}}</ref> and the largest cabbage dish, at {{convert|2960|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |date=8 November 2014 |title=Largest cabbage dish |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/5000/largest-cabbage-dish |access-date=2021-04-06 |publisher=Guinness World Records}}</ref>