What Type of Classification is Broccoli?

November 21, 2025 •

3 min read

Did you know that broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage all share the same species classification? To understand what type of classification is broccoli, one must delve into the fascinating world of botanical taxonomy, where this popular vegetable finds its place within the broader cabbage family, or Brassicaceae.

Quick Summary

Broccoli's scientific name is Brassica oleracea var. italica, classifying it as a cultivar group within the Brassicaceae, or mustard, family. It is botanically a vegetable and closely related to many common cole crops.

Key Points

Botanical Name: Broccoli's scientific classification is Brassica oleracea var. italica.
Family Membership: It belongs to the Brassicaceae, or cabbage family, alongside many other common vegetables.
Shared Species: Broccoli is the same species, Brassica oleracea, as cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and Brussels sprouts.
Cultivar Group: It is specifically categorized as part of the Italica cultivar group.
Origin: Broccoli was developed from wild cabbage through selective breeding, like its close relatives.
Cruciferous Designation: It is a cruciferous vegetable, a member of a family known for its cross-shaped flowers and health benefits.

Understanding the Botanical World of Broccoli

When we ask what type of classification is broccoli, we are exploring its position in the biological kingdom of plants. As a green, edible plant, its taxonomy provides clear answers about its relationships with other common vegetables. At the highest level, broccoli is a member of the Plant Kingdom (Plantae). Its journey through the taxonomic hierarchy places it firmly within the mustard and cabbage family, revealing its surprising kinship with many kitchen staples.

The Taxonomic Hierarchy of Broccoli

To fully appreciate broccoli's classification, it is helpful to break down its scientific naming structure. The botanical name for broccoli is Brassica oleracea var. italica, which can be dissected into its various levels of classification:

Kingdom: Plantae (Plants)
Order: Brassicales (Mustards, capers, and allies)
Family: Brassicaceae (Mustard or cabbage family)
Genus: Brassica (Cabbages and mustards)
Species: Brassica oleracea (Wild cabbage and its derivatives)
Cultivar Group/Variety: Italica Group (Broccoli)

The name Brassica oleracea is particularly significant as it is shared by many other vegetables, all of which were selectively bred from the wild cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. oleracea) to emphasize different plant characteristics.

The Brassicaceae Family: Broccoli's Relatives

The Brassicaceae family, formerly known as Cruciferae, is home to thousands of species, many of which are edible and agriculturally important. Broccoli is part of a large, diverse family of plants often called "cruciferous vegetables." This family is known for its high nutrient content, including significant amounts of vitamins C and K, and for containing compounds like glucosinolates. Other notable members derived from the same Brassica oleracea species include:

Cabbage (Capitata Group)
Cauliflower and Romanesco broccoli (Botrytis Group)
Kale and collard greens (Acephala Group)
Kohlrabi (Gongylodes Group)
Brussels sprouts (Gemmifera Group)

Broccolini vs. Sprouting Broccoli

It is important to distinguish between different types of broccoli. Broccolini, for instance, is not a true broccoli variety but a hybrid cross between regular broccoli and kai-lan (Chinese kale), another Brassica oleracea cultivar. The common supermarket broccoli, known as Calabrese broccoli, has a large, central head. In contrast, sprouting broccoli produces smaller heads and multiple thin stalks.

Comparison of Common Brassicas

Broccoli's close relationship with other Brassica oleracea cultivars can be illustrated through a comparison of their key characteristics.


Feature	Broccoli (Italica)	Cauliflower (Botrytis)	Cabbage (Capitata)
Edible Part	Flower heads and stalk	White curd of flower heads	Leaves forming a dense head
Appearance	Tree-like structure with green florets	Dense white or colored head	Round or conical head of tightly packed leaves
Flavor	Mild, earthy, and slightly peppery	Mild, nutty flavor	Varies from mild and sweet to peppery
Nutritional Profile	Rich in vitamins C and K, and fiber	Good source of fiber and vitamins	High in vitamin C and fiber
Cultivation	Cool-season crop	Cool-season crop; sensitive to heat	Cool-season crop; hardy and robust

The Importance of Broccoli's Classification

Understanding the botanical classification of broccoli offers more than just academic knowledge; it has practical implications. For gardeners, knowing that broccoli is a cool-season crop within the mustard family helps in selecting the right planting times and managing common pests and diseases, such as those related to slugs. For nutritionists and food scientists, its classification sheds light on its nutritional properties and its relationship to other healthful cruciferous vegetables. Furthermore, understanding its selective breeding history highlights the role humans have played in shaping our food sources over centuries.

Conclusion: A Family Affair

In conclusion, what type of classification is broccoli is straightforward in scientific terms: it is a cultivar group of the species Brassica oleracea, belonging to the Brassicaceae family. It is a cruciferous vegetable, closely related to other common greens like cauliflower, cabbage, and kale. Its scientific name, Brassica oleracea var. italica, precisely defines its place within the plant kingdom. This intricate web of botanical relationships explains why these vegetables share similar characteristics, flavor profiles, and health benefits, making the cabbage family a truly remarkable and diverse group of edible plants.

For more in-depth information on the Brassica oleracea species and its many cultivated forms, see the Wikipedia page.

Frequently Asked Questions

From a culinary perspective, broccoli is a vegetable. Botanically, the edible portion is the immature flower head, making it a vegetable rather than a fruit, which develops from the mature ovary of a flowering plant.

The full scientific name for broccoli is Brassica oleracea var. italica.

Broccoli belongs to the Brassicaceae family, commonly known as the mustard or cabbage family.

Broccoli and cauliflower are both cultivated varieties of the same species, Brassica oleracea. The main difference is that they belong to different cultivar groups, with broccoli in the Italica group and cauliflower in the Botrytis group.

The name 'broccoli' comes from the Italian word broccolo, meaning 'the flowering crest of a cabbage,' which is the diminutive form of brocco, meaning 'small nail' or 'sprout.'

No, Broccolini is not the same as regular broccoli. It is a hybrid of broccoli and kai-lan (Chinese broccoli), also a member of the Brassica oleracea species.

Many familiar vegetables share the same species, Brassica oleracea, including cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi, all developed through selective breeding.

The term 'cruciferous' refers to the Brassicaceae family, which was formerly known as Cruciferae. The name comes from the fact that many of these plants have four petals that form a cross shape.