Cruciferae A family of mostly annual or perennial herbs with alternate leaves and racemes of 4-sepalled, 4-petalled flowers, the petals being arranged in a cross. There are usually 2 outer stamens plus 4 larger, inner ones. The ovary consists of 2 carpels but produces dry fruits of various forms, either capsules or indehiscent. Crucifers provide many valuable vegetables (Brassica oleracea, cabbage, etc.) and are sources of useful oils. No members of the family are poisonous. There are 390 genera, with nearly 3000 species, mainly northern temperate, but cosmopolitan. See also BRASSICA.

Cruciferae Family of plants with flowers with four equal petals; most vegetables in this family belong to the genus Brassica.