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Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus cultivar [White Oriental Radish]
| Family Name: | Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) |
| Synonyms: | Raphanus sativus var. sativus (white daikon) |
| Common Name: | Radish, 萝卜, 白萝卜，Lobak |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Annual |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 0.2 m to 1 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Origin is uncertain, but likely from eastern Mediterranean to Caspian Sea. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Erect annual herb up to 1 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Roots | Roots vary widely in terms of shape and size. In Southeast Asia, the Chinese Radish cultivar group is most common. The upper part of the taproot and the hypocotyl (the portion of the stem below the cotyledons) becomes swollen and forms a white, cylindrical tuber. It has a mild flavour and a crisp texture. Southeast Asian cultivars within the Chinese Radish cultivar group tend to be smaller than those found in China and Japan (10-25 cm long, 4-5 cm wide). |
| Foliage | Leaves are either glabrous or have a few stiff hairs. The lower leaves are larger than the upper ones and arranged in a rosette instead of alternate leaf arrangement. Lower leaves are oblong (elongated), oblong-ovate (elongated to egg-shaped) to lyrate-pinnatifid (leaf blade divided into lobes that create a feather-like pattern with the largest lobe at the tip). |
| Flowers | White to light purple, fragrant flowers (1.5 cm wide) are arranged in a raceme (a spike-like inflorescence composed of flowers mounted on stalks up to 2.5 cm long). The raceme occurs near the stem tip. |
| Cultivation | Seeds may take 4 to 10 days to germinate. Depending on the varieties, the plant may take 21 to 60 days to mature. Grow it in a sunny location and regular watering. Best grown in deep soil, wide spacing between seedlings or plantlets. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Leaves, Edible Roots Food (Fruit & Vegetable): In Southeast Asia, the tuberous root is typically used in soups, sauces or meat dishes. Medicinal: The leaves, seeds and old roots are used in folk medicine to treat asthma. The root is crushed and used as a poultice for burns, bruises and foot odour. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant (Flowers) |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Small Gardens, Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Caterpillar Food Plant, Bee-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Dry Soils / Drought, Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate, Rosulate / Rosette |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Margin | Pinnately Lobed / Pinnatifid, Lyrate |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Root Type | Underground (Tap Root) |
|---|---|
| Specialised Storage Organ(s) | Underground (Swollen Taproot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple, White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Seed Description | Ovoid-globose, about 3mm in diameter. |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Moderate (6-10) |
References
| References | Siemonsma, J.S. and Piluek, K. (Editors). 1994. Plant Resources of South-East Asia (PROSEA) No 8. Vegetables. Bogor, Indonesia: Prosea Foundation. |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 16813 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3336 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
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