Why is broccoli a tree?

Broccoli has large flower heads, usually green in color, arranged in a tree-like structure branching out from a thick, edible stalk. In our household, broccoli is lovingly called “trees.” The mass of flower heads is surrounded by leaves.

Why does broccoli look like little trees?

Broccoli. In our house, we refer to broccoli florets as “little trees.” We’ve done this since our son was starting to eat solid foods. The word broccoli has Italian origins and stems (pun intended) from the word “broccolo” which means cabbage sprout or flowering crest of the cabbage. …

Why does broccoli look like that?

Broccoli has large flower heads, usually dark green, arranged in a tree-like structure branching out from a thick stalk which is usually light green. The mass of flower heads is surrounded by leaves. Broccoli resembles cauliflower, which is a different, but closely related cultivar group of the same Brassica species.

Is broccoli a flower?

When you grow broccoli (Brassica oleracea italica) in your garden, you have a flower that does not look like other flowers. Botanically, it grows as a biennial, but gardeners grow it as an annual and harvest it before the flower buds fully open.

How would you describe broccoli?

Broccoli is a fast-growing annual plant that grows 60–90 cm (24–35 inches) tall. Upright and branching with leathery leaves, broccoli bears dense green clusters of flower buds at the ends of the central axis and the branches.

Is broccoli a fruit Why?

This means that while you might now think that by this definition, broccoli and cauliflower are technically fruits, they’re actually not, because they’re unopened flower buds that have not yet developed.

How do broccoli grow?

Broccoli is a hardy biennial grown as a cool-season annual. It grows 18 to 36 inches (45-91cm) tall and has broad, thick leaves and a thick main stalk. Broccoli forms single or multiple flower “heads ” of tiny blue-green flower buds. The flower heads are eaten before they bloom; buds open to tiny yellow flowers.

Where does broccoli come from?

broccoli, Brassica oleracea, variety italica, form of cabbage, of the mustard family (Brassicaceae), grown for its edible flower buds and stalk. Native to the eastern Mediterranean and Asia Minor, sprouting broccoli was cultivated in Italy in ancient Roman times and was introduced to England and America in the 1700s.

How would you describe the texture of broccoli?

Broccoli florets are soft in texture as compared to the stems and stalks. Broccoli florets can be blanched, grated, chopped or sliced and used in recipes.

Why broccoli is a vegetable?

Broccoli is a green vegetable that vaguely resembles a miniature tree. It belongs to the plant species known as Brassica oleracea. It’s closely related to cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale and cauliflower — all edible plants collectively referred to as cruciferous vegetables.

Why is broccoli flowering?

Broccoli grows tall and starts to flower in order to form seeds and complete its reproductive cycle. This happens in response to stress, and extreme soil temperatures. Sometimes broccoli will grow tall and bolt before the broccoli has a chance to form a large head.