Vegetable plant related to the turnip and wild mustard, or charlock. It was cultivated as early as 2000 BC, and the many commercial varieties include kale, Brussels sprouts, common cabbage, savoy, cauliflower, sprouting broccoli, and kohlrabi. (Brassica oleracea, family Cruciferae.)
The central band was originally red. It was changed to blue to express solidarity with the Allies during World War I. Effective date: 28 September 1917.