Literacy

Brassica juncea var. integrifolia

Famous for its pickles

Location: Kazuyo's house
Location: My home
Location: My home

Flower name
Literacy
Scientific name
Brassica juncea var. integrifolia
Aliasオオナ, 大菜, 高菜
Place of originCentral Asia　
Place of floweringField
Flowering seasonApril, May
Language of flowersSame as rapeseed flowers: “cheerfulness,” “brightness,” “vitality,” “small joys,” “cheerful love”

What is Literacy

Brassica Integrifolia or Takana (scientific name: Brassica juncea var. integrifolia) is a biennial plant native to Central Asia, belonging to the genus Brassica in the Brassicaceae family.
Takana and Zha Cai (squeezed vegetables) are varieties of Karashina (scientific name: Brassica juncea).
The stems and leaves are used as vegetables.
The plant grows to a height of 30–100 cm.
The leaves are 60–80 cm long, broad, and elliptical with few notches; they are large, fleshy, and have a slight spiciness.
It is cold-hardy, and exposure to cold makes the leaves softer and sweeter.
The leaves and stems are used in pickles, fried rice, mehari-zushi, takana rice, and as a garnish.

The photo shows takana and a honeybee. Photo by Aki, May 5, 2026, Kochi Prefecture.

Generic name: Brassica Integrifolia or Takana,
Scientific name: Brassica juncea var. Integrifolia,
Place of origin: Central Asia,
Living type: Cold-resistant vegetables of overgrowth grass,
plant height: 30 to 100 cm,
flowering period: April to May, inflorescence form: general inflorescence, flower size: 1.2 to 2 cm, flower color: bright yellow, flower form: 4 regent flower,
fruit shape : Chrysanthemum fruit,
Usage: Leaf stem to pickles, Cooking methods: pickles, fried rice, Mekalis, Takana rice, condiments.