Brassica rapa is a plant species that has been widely cultivated into many forms, including the turnip (a root vegetable), komatsuna, napa cabbage, bomdong, bok choy, and rapini.

[8] The geographic and genetic origins of B. rapa have been difficult to identify due to its long history of human cultivation.

oleifera) of Brassica rapa may have been domesticated several times from the Mediterranean to India, starting as early as 2000 BC.

[9] Edible turnips were possibly first cultivated in northern Europe, and were an important food in ancient Rome.

[11] In the 18th century, the turnip and the oilseed-producing variants were thought to be different species by Carl Linnaeus, who named them B. rapa and B. campestris.