Note: Non-Grass Species (Rapeseed/Canola)
Brassica napus · Broadleaf annual or biennial; C3 photosynthetic pathway
Grass Family
Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)
Grass Category
Agricultural crop (oilseed), Cover crop, or Forage
Variety / Cultivar
Likely an oilseed or forage cultivar
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 6-10 (winter types) or grown as a spring annual in colder zones.
About This Grass
While not a grass, this plant features bright yellow 4-petaled flowers in clusters (racemes), glaucous blue-green foliage, and thick succulent stems reaching 2-5 feet in height.
Blade Characteristics
Leaves are broad, lobed at the base, and clasping the stem (amplexicaul). They are not grass blades. Texture is smooth and waxy (glaucous) with prominent midveins.
Root System
Deep taproot system; efficient at scavenging nutrients but does not form sod or thatch.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Western Europe and the Mediterranean; widely cultivated globally in temperate regions
Growth Habit
Erect, herbaceous plant with a central dominant stem (Not a grass growth habit)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun; requires moderate moisture and well-drained, fertile soils for optimal seed production.
Mowing & Maintenance
Not typically mowed as turf; harvested for seed or grazed as forage. If cut too low, it will not regrow like grass.
Special Characteristics
High oil content in seeds, attractive to pollinators, weed suppression via rapid canopy closure, not tolerant of heavy foot traffic.
Ecological Information
Introduced crop; highly valuable for honeybees and beneficial insects; used in crop rotation to improve soil structure and break pest cycles.