Published in Linnaeus, C. von. Sp. Pl. 2: 666. (1753).
The native range of this species is as a cultigen from S. Europe. It is an annual or biennial and grows primarily in the temperate biome. The hybrid formula is as stabilized hybrids derived from B. oleracea × B. rapa. It is used as animal food, a poison and a medicine, has environmental uses and for fuel and food.